Mount Dora city attorney accused of harassment, being a 'bully'

MOUNT DORA, Fla. — The Mount Dora city attorney faces allegations of harassment and bullying after at least two city employees complained about interactions with him.

Lonnie Groot has denied the claims.

In one of the complaints, the public works director claimed Groot questioned his ethics and sent him a demeaning email when he tried to defend himself to the City Council.

In another complaint, the city clerk claimed Groot demeaned and disrespected her, criticized her job performance and sent emails to the council to make her look bad.

The city brought in an outside law firm to investigate the claims.

Investigators ultimately found the employees’ complaints to be valid.

Groot had only been on the job for six months when the allegations surfaced and they came as a surprise, Mount Dora Mayor Nick Girone said.

“This is something we don’t need and we’re going to address it and move forward,” he said.

City officials plan to hold a special meeting to discuss the complaints against Groot.

Girone said the City Council wants to hear both sides of the issue.

Cox Media Group