Mayor of Riverview accused of sexually harassing an employee

The employee, Brandon Evans, claims in the discrimination suit that Mayor Michael Cornell recruited him to work for Riverview and then tried to have sex with him several times during his first week. When Evans refused, he claims, he was fired.

Neither Cornell nor Evans’ lawyers responded to a request for comment.

According to the lawsuit filed in May, Cornell began contacting Evans through social media and text messages in December 2022 while Evans was living in Texas. Cornell had seen photos of Evans’ carpentry work and asked if he would work for him in St. Louis.

The mayor offered Evans temporary housing while he looked for his own place after being hired. The lawsuit does not mention whether Evans accepted the offer, but it alleges that most of the abuse occurred at the mayor’s home.

The first incident occurred on June 3, 2023, when the mayor attempted to hug the staffer from behind, the lawsuit says. Cornell made at least three more physical advances over the next few days, the lawsuit says, and Cornell eventually became angry when Evans rebuffed his advances.

Evans started work on a Monday and was fired on Friday, the lawsuit says. He moved back to Texas.

He is demanding damages of over $25,000.

Riverview is a small community north of the St. Louis neighborhood of Baden.