By Alia Sinclair

The investigation into allegations made against Interim City Manager Kyle Moore has reached a close, with the conclusion being:

“This investigation does not find the specific factual allegations as alleged as sustained.”

Moore has been on paid administrative leave since Dec. 23, 2024, pending the results of an investigation into an alleged sexist and hostile work environment.

Moore has served the City of SeaTac for approximately seven years, holding the role of Government Relations and Communications Manager prior to becoming Interim City Manager in May. In his previous position, he reported directly to the City Manager but did not manage a department or oversee a departmental budget.

As we previously reported, the initial complaint was made against Moore on Aug. 5, 2024, citing a hostile work environment and discriminatory treatment towards women. The investigative report redacted the name and title of the person making the allegations.

The 11-page report lays out the key background facts of the case, including that the transition of Moore to Interim City Manager was difficult because Moore did not believe he had the support of the department heads, with the exception of the Public Works Director.

This feeling was compounded by disagreements about how to handle community outreach and perceptions of being verbally attacked, unsupported, and publicly disrespected in meetings.

Two instances of alleged gender-mistreatment were specified in the report.

Moore held his first City Manager Office Meeting on May 20, 2024, that some witnesses described as “hostile,” but could not be proved to be so objectively.

During this meeting, Moore directed his staff, who had previously been working hybrid, to return to their offices. Later, a male staff member, whose name was redacted in the report, was allowed to remain on the hybrid schedule. The remaining members of the staff—all women, were to remain in-office.

The second allegation is that Moore made disparaging comments about the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy stating to women at the City that the Academy was a “cult” and sending a photo of women dancing in white dresses and flowers crowns likening it to the Academy.

When investigators asked Moore to produce this picture, Moore stated he did not “know if he could get it” and did not recall if the picture was sent via City email.

A person kept anonymous in the report stated that these jokes about the Academy were hurtful to the women who participated in the program and admitted worry that Moore’s comments would discourage further participation.

The report concluded that “…no legal conclusion sustaining the allegation of disparate treatment can be reasonably inferred.”

The full report is available via Public Records Request.