Last week, Judy Banks, former interim H.R. director for Mayor Vince Gray, testified under oath that she didn’t have a role in getting Brandon Webb, the son of former Department of Employment Services Acting Director Rochelle Webb, a job at the fire department.

“Did there come a time when you had a conversation with Ms. Webb about the fact that… her son was interested in applying for a position with the government?” Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh asked Banks.

“No, the conversation I had was with Chief [Kenneth] Ellerbe, who actually hired Mr. Webb,” Banks said.

Cheh then said it was her understanding that Rochelle Webb had asked Banks for help with getting Brandon Webb a job, and Banks could “advise him on how he could go about doing that.” (Rochelle Webb tells LL she had already met with Cheh prior to that hearing, which is probably where Cheh’s understanding came from.)

Not true, said Banks.

“The fire chief came to me, and said I would like to hire Brandon Webb, and he informed me that this was Rochelle Webb’s son,” said Banks.

Later in the hearing, Banks confirmed her testimony that Webb was hired under Ellerbe’s direction, in response to questions from Councilmember David Catania. Catania then asked if Banks had warned Ellerbe that Brandon Webb was the son of a Gray appointee and his hiring might be inappropriate.

“No, what I said was, ‘This individual lives in Arizona, and you want him to serve as a community outreach person?’ And I’m sure we could find someone here,” Banks said.

But Banks’ testimony has since been undercut on all kinds of levels. Today during another council hearing, Ellerbe testified that he hired Brandon Webb—sight unseen!—because Banks called him and asked him to do it.

“The call came from Judy Banks,” Ellerbe told the council, about the request to hire Webb.

That backs up what Brandon Webb said under oath, and what Rochelle Webb told LL.

But there’s nothing like cold, hard proof. And the below email exchange between Banks and Webb sure makes it hard to believe to believe Banks’ testimony. LL has a call into Banks, who recently left her post as interim H.R. director, and will update if he hears back.

————— Forwarded message —————
From: “Banks, Judy (DCHR)”
To: “Webb, Rochelle (DOES)”
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2011 08:17:55 -0500
Subject: Re: Application for Director of Development

My enclosed resume will includes information on my strong education background and my decade of exemplary work experience which includes:

• Working as a Director of admissions at EDMC
• Financial consultation in lending and investment advising.
• Retail management and merchandising work.

I am a believer in the role financial institutions play and wish to help the company improve client relationships while promoting the company in a positive way.

If you have any questions concerning my application or resume, please contact me at 602-[DELETED] or at brandondw@[DELETED]. Thank you once again for taking the time to view my resume.