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Sound Transit CEO's bonus denied after condescending comments

By Amy Clancy
By Amy Clancy

It was business as usual Thursday afternoon for Sound Transit's Operations and Administration Committee Meeting.

CEO Peter Rogoff was there, hours after Sound Transit’s Board announced the results of an outside investigation that resulted in Rogoff losing up to $30,000 in bonus pay.

“The Board spent considerable time reviewing the CEO’s workplace behavior, which includes reports and allegations of inappropriate language and actions and demeanor that made employees uncomfortable” ST Board Vice Chair John Marchione said during the meeting.

As a result of that investigation, the Board introduced a measure for Rogoff to complete a Leadership Development Plan, and make certain his communications are clear and build trust.

Rogoff will not get his 2017 bonus, which could have been as high as 10 percent of his yearly $312,900 salary.

Three Board members will also meet with Rogoff regularly to make sure he's making progress.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan -- who's also a Sound Transit Board member -- voted against the proposal.

“Sound Transit is not felt to be a safe workplace for all employees,” Durkan said.  “They do not feel that they can act without repercussions, and there are many who feel their work is not valid.”

King County Executive Dow Constantine supported the Board’s measure, which eventually passed, even though he has expressed concerns directly to Rogoff in the past.

“I cautioned him that his directness was going to run up against a different way of interacting, to which we’re accustomed here in the Pacific Northwest, and that he was going to have to modify his manner and understand the local culture if he’s going to be successful,” Constantine recalled.

Click below to read statements and other documents sent to KIRO 7 News. 

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