Alan Dennis was chairman of the ILT Stadium Trust, which was involved in dealing with a complaint that led to Nigel Skelt resigning as both stadium manager and Invercargill city councillor, when he was hit with his own accusation.
A staff member at liquor licensing trust ILT, where Mr Dennis was chairman until last year, said in a complaint to management she was sitting at her workplace when he "crept" behind her and "blew on the back" of her neck during a visit to her workplace.
"I immediately said to him ‘Ew — that was creepy, why did you do that?’.
"To which he replied, ‘because I felt like it’."
She made her complaint two months after the incident allegedly took place because her feelings were "stirred up" by the sexual harassment allegations against Mr Skelt surfacing.
As a result of the complaint, Mr Dennis has now been barred from the premises where she works.
Mr Dennis yesterday said he had known the complainant for many years and when informed of the complaint, was very surprised.
"I admitted it and apologised unreservedly — I misread the situation.
"My intent was to be jovial and to say hi, not to cause concern in any way."
He claimed both parties reached a mutual agreement which did not include going to the press.
"People who know me would say that I enjoy a good joke and two-way banter in the workplace.
"The way the world is changing, perhaps moments of liberty will become scarcer, which I think is a shame."
When initially approached for comment Mr Dennis said he was not aware of the complaint.
He said yesterday his initial reluctance to acknowledge the existence of the complaint was due to the privacy agreement he believed was made with the complainant.
The existence of the complaint was revealed in documents released to the Otago Daily Times under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
The documents revealed the woman made the complaint about his behaviour to ILT chairman Paddy O’Brien and chief executive Chris Ramsay in May.
She talked about the incident to someone who had their name redacted, but did not take the matter any further until Mr Skelt’s complaint became public.
"Recent events have stirred up the feelings I have about what Alan did to me, hence the delay to make the complaint.
"I do not want to be in the same room as Alan Dennis again."
The next day, Mr O’Brien sent an email to his board making them aware of the harassment complaint received by the staff member.
He and Mr Ramsay stated they would investigate the complaint, which included meeting Mr Dennis in an off-site building.
"Alan does not recall behaving in the manner alleged, but says that if it did happen there was no malice intended and he was apologetic and remorseful to the fact the complainant was having to go through this process."
However, he later offered to apologise to the woman and agreed with ILT’s recommendation he would not visit or have any connection with her workplace.
"The complainant was advised of our meeting with Alan and is pleased with the outcome, but made it clear she did not want to meet him in person to hear his apology."
Then on May 9, Mr Ramsay sent a formal letter to Mr Dennis to "confirm the actions" following their meeting.
In the letter, he said ILT was striving to provide a safe and inclusive workplace and it was paramount for staff to feel safe.
"Your actions did not meet the standard we expect of visitors, and clearly had a negative impact on one of the ILT family.
"You acknowledged this, also noting that no harm was intended ... If you wish to meet with one of the ILT staff or board, you will arrange to so away [redacted]."
Mr Ramsay said Mr Dennis’s actions did not meet the standard it expected from visitors.
"As soon as we were formally made aware of his action we moved quickly to address our concerns with him.
"The matter was resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, and as such we now consider the matter closed."
Mr Dennis was chairman of ILT board for 21 years and stepped down from the role at last election.
In August, he had a stand at ILT Stadium Southland named after him.
