Mayor Dave Bronson has lost another key member of his executive team in the continuing dust-up in his office: Brice Wilbanks has resigned. Wilbanks was Bronson’s campaign manager and then came on board as the deputy chief of staff. Must Read Alaska has learned that Wilbanks is pursuing work outside of government.
The resignation comes at a time when the mayor is under fire for numerous allegations by former City Manager Amy Demboski that are now prompting the Anchorage Assembly to enact emergency ordinances that relate to contracts and personnel.
The Mayor’s Office leaked the information about Wilbanks’ resignation to a blogger in the same way it leaked information on Demboski after she was fired by the mayor. In the leak, the Mayor’s Office is saying that Wilbanks tried to rescind his resignation, but was let go.
Demboski was fired on Dec. 19, after which she said that the mayor’s staff leaked information to certain people in the media in an attempt to destroy her reputation. Demboski is currently the interim host of the morning drive-time show on 650 KENI.
Demboski said that Bronson fired her because she had brought to his attention unlawful and unethical activities and uses of municipal resources involving lobbyist contracts, sole source contracts, and the hiring of Larry Baker as a consultant.
Demboski and Kendall said that firing her for using vulgar language in the office is a “fig leaf” to cover up for the real reason, which is retaliation.
