Gov. Josh Shapiro has moved to push out the head of Pennsylvania’s civil-rights enforcement agency just as the state opens an inquiry into how the commission has been spending public money. Chad Dion Lassiter, who has led the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) since 2018, submitted a resignation letter after Shapiro pressed him to step down, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Lassiter plans to remain on the job through June 30 to oversee a transition.
Rosie Lapowsky, a spokeswoman for the governor, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the Commonwealth’s Office of Administration is reviewing recent PHRC purchases. Some spending, including purchasing cards, has been temporarily suspended while the review continues. Lapowsky also noted that the governor does not have the authority to hire or fire PHRC leadership, since the commission is overseen by commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate.
Commission Vacancies Threaten Caseload
The turmoil is not limited to the top job. The commission announced in a news release that four other senior PHRC officials have resigned in recent weeks, leaving only five seated commissioners out of 11 and creating a risk that the body will not have a quorum for upcoming meetings, according to PA.gov.
"When the Commission cannot meet, Pennsylvanians seeking justice may face harmful delays," Deputy Director Desireé Chang said in the release. The commission warned that the staffing shortfall could slow decisions on complaints and the implementation of guidance.
Lassiter told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the request to step aside followed scrutiny of an attempted $20,000 purchase for two tables at a Philadelphia NAACP awards dinner where he was to be honored. The PHRC ultimately did not complete the payments, but staff attended the event. "It was a hit job," Lassiter said in a phone interview, defending his record and claiming there has been a movement to remove him over the last two years.
Lassiter's Tenure and Public Work
Lassiter was appointed executive director in 2018 and has pushed the agency toward broader public engagement, including a 67-county listening tour and expanded anti-racism programming, according to the commission's website. In 2023 he was tapped to serve on a presidential advisory panel on issues affecting Black Americans, an appointment noted on PA.gov.
Why It Matters for People Filing Complaints
The PHRC enforces the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and investigates discrimination complaints in employment, housing, education and public accommodations. Commentators say that work is increasingly important as federal oversight has waned, according to WESA.
Local reporting noted that the commission is hiring investigators, yet a leadership shakeup and potential loss of quorum could slow investigations and leave complainants waiting longer for remedies, WESA reported.
For now, the state review of PHRC spending is ongoing, and staff say they will continue to provide services while leadership transitions are arranged. Lassiter has said he plans to stay through June 30 to manage the handoff and that he still stands by the agency's work.
