Scott Vargo, the city manager of Golden, Colorado, was fired after the city council determined the city’s response to a racist incident involving a Snoop Dogg-themed doll at a fire station “did not meet expectations for action and accountability.”
The council voted unanimously Aug. 11 to terminate Vargo following a review of how city leaders handled the incident.
The controversy began after a “Snoop on a Stoop” doll, made in the likeness of rapper Snoop Dogg, was found hanging by its neck from a rope in a stairwell at a Golden Fire Department station.
City officials said the display was racist and evoked the history of racial violence against Black Americans.
The city initially conducted an internal investigation, disciplined the employee responsible, and brought in an outside consultant to provide workplace and inclusion training. The response later drew criticism from employees who questioned whether city leaders had treated the incident with enough seriousness.
In a July 28 letter to the community, Vargo acknowledged shortcomings in the city’s handling of the matter.
“Their feedback made clear that our response did not adequately reflect the seriousness of this incident or the impact it had on our employees and community,” Vargo wrote.
He also said the city had “fell far short” in its responsibility to employees and residents.
The employee responsible for hanging the doll later left the fire department. The city also ordered an independent investigation into the incident, workplace conditions, and the actions taken by city leadership.
Less than two weeks after Vargo’s public apology, the council fired him.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for our city, but maintaining trust is fundamental to leadership,” Mayor Laura Weinberg said.
Carly Lorentz, previously deputy city manager, was unanimously appointed interim city manager effective immediately. The city’s current management page still identifies her as interim city manager.
The leadership changes also reached the fire department. Fire Chief Kasey Beal was fired Aug. 13 after being placed on administrative leave while the city reviewed personnel and leadership issues connected to the incident. Deputy Chief Sean Jones was named interim fire chief.
Beal has disputed the circumstances surrounding his dismissal and has said responsibility for the city’s response extended beyond the fire department.
Golden officials said the independent investigation will examine both the racist incident and the city’s handling of it, with findings expected to be released to the public where permitted by law.
