Jacqueline Barnes is shedding light and eradicating a topic we all know of too well, the bully that abuses in the dark, while remaining a shining white knight. 

Within the Rocky Mount City Government, Rocky Mount Assistant City Manager, Elton Daniels facilitates an unsafe & unhealthy environment of fear, retaliation, as well as sexual harassment. 

In February 2019 after soft advances in the workplace, Jacqueline Barnes, a former manager in the Rocky Mount parks department experienced the unthinkable as Elton Daniels, her then manager, said, “If I sexually assaulted you, it would be your word against mine.”

Daniels furthered the harassment in a physical manner by asking for a hug within the perimeters of the following, “not a church hug,” Barnes instead stated, “I want to feel it all.”

Though Barnes hugged Daniels from the side, he turned her to create a full frontal contact hug. 

Barnes sought retribution and justice through filing a complaint with the city’s human resources department in March 2019. A month later the concluded investigation yielded no evidence of sexual harassment, as well as that Barnes’ claim didn’t qualify as a sexual harassment claim. November 2019, saw Daniel’s promotion to assistant city manager, leading him to become Barnes’ superior twice over. As such Daniels retaliated for the complaint filing by:

Withholding Barnes’ promotion to permanent manager, instead holding Barnes in the role of interim manager
Refusing to grant requests for expenses necessary for department affairs
Overlooking for promotions

The effects on Barnes are unfathomable, from anxiety, panic attacks, and even early retirement. 

June 2020 saw Jacqueline Barnes retire early after more than 20 years of service for the City of Rocky Mount.