CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Charlotte city leaders approved a new ethics policy Monday evening that bans sexual harassment by themselves and the mayor.
The policy was developed after a city council investigation uncovered allegations that councilman Warren Turner had sexually harassed several women.
The policy includes limited penalties that the council can already impose, such as reprimanding a fellow member. It also gives the council the power to cancel committee assignments of any member who violates policy.
The new policy does not allow city council to remove a member. Councilman Michael Barnes told Channel 9 it's "unfortunate" that council members will not have that authority.
The city attorney said an old North Carolina law may allow removal from office, but that it might not hold up in court.