Allegheny County’s chief public defender, who was abruptly escorted from her office on April 7 and put on paid administrative leave, claims her treatment was unjustified and denies allegations that she made offensive statements to subordinates.
In a recent written message to supporters, Lena Bryan-Henderson called the claims “disheartening” but said she will continue to fight.
“While this process has been incredibly difficult, it has only deepened my commitment to providing the strongest possible advocacy for those who face unjust systems and false allegations,” wrote Bryan-Henderson in the message, which has been circulating among lawyers and judges in the county.
Reached by TribLive, Bryan-Henderson said she could not comment.
Bryan-Henderson, the first Black woman to be named chief public defender in the county, was appointed in January 2024 by County Executive Sara Innamorato
Abigail Gardner, a county spokeswoman, declined to comment on Monday, saying the matter remains under investigation.
Bryan-Henderson’s attorney, Joseph J. Pass, said he and his client met with county officials on April 10 and asked why she was being investigated.
“They said, ‘We’ll ask the questions,’ ” Pass said.
According to Bryan-Henderson’s message, obtained by TribLive, she learned at the meeting that there were 25 allegations against her. However, the county would not say how many people made those 25 claims.
“Some were submitted anonymously, and for those that were not, names were not disclosed,” she wrote.
According to her message, Bryan-Henderson said that she was asked by the county if she had ever said “pregnancy makes women ‘dumber’ or if she had said Native Americans ‘don’t have real problems.’ ” She said she was also asked whether she questions people about their gender at birth.
“The nature of these claims was disheartening — not only because of their content, but because of what they attempt to suggest about my character,” she wrote.
Pass, who said he has represented clients in more than 1,000 disciplinary cases as a labor attorney, said Monday he still doesn’t know what the allegations are against her.
“I don’t see anything here with the questions they asked,” Pass said. “Maybe you shouldn’t have said them, but you don’t get rid of them for that — and that’s assuming she said them.”
He believes that, at the heart of the problem, “someone there doesn’t like her management style.”
“As far as I know, there’s never been any grievances against her,” Pass said.
Assistant public defenders are unionized. The head of their union declined comment for this story.
Pass was also critical of the anonymous nature of some of the complaints.
“People making anonymous complaints is certainly a good way to torpedo someone,” Pass said.
In her message, Bryan-Henderson said she was asked during the meeting about her vision for the office and what positive changes she’s made.
“Questions more appropriate for a job interview than for a disciplinary proceeding,” she wrote. “My leadership style was also questioned — a critique that, in many ways, reflects the discomfort some have with being led by a Black woman in a position of authority.”
Bryan-Henderson said none of the allegations, even if presumed to be true, justify being placed on leave.
In her message, she listed some of the accomplishments she detailed for county officials.
She said she secured a $1.4 million increase in the office budget, expanded representation at arraignment and organized “Know Your Rights” sessions and expungement clinics, according to the message.
In addition, Bryan-Henderson wrote that she has built strategic partnerships with a variety of advocacy groups, including Reimagine Reentry, Casa San Jose, Amachi Pittsburgh, Abolitionist Law Center and others.