A human resources director for the State of Minnesota is now on leave after sending a profanity-laced email from his official work account to an Alpha News reporter following an inquiry about racist posts on his social media page.
It started after Alpha News received an email about LaVon “Vonnie” Phillips. A search of the state directory website shows Phillips listed as a “Human Resources Director 1” for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
State records also indicate that Phillips earns six-figures and is paid $55.45 per hour.
The tipster raised concerns about Phillips and claimed his social media page is “littered with racist comments about ‘white folk.’”
After reviewing a Facebook page under the name Vonnie Phillips — filled with the type of content described by the tipster and a video tagging a woman whose name matches Phillips’ wife in public records — Alpha News sent an inquiry to Phillips’ state email address.
In his response, Phillips confirmed the Facebook page was his and lashed out at Alpha News reporter Jenna Gloeb in a profanity-laced tirade defending his posts.
“Good luck,” he wrote. “My Facebook page is within the ‘protected concerted’ activity guidelines, therefore, do what you want; nowhere on my Facebook page lists my employer; and the person, the gutless, worthless coward that reported me, the hell with them, please tell them I said that fool.”
Phillips concluded the email with: “F-ck you, Jenna. Notice I did not use my work email …
f-cking rotten b-tch.”
Except Phillips did send the message from his official MPCA state email and then tried at least three times — unsuccessfully — to recall it. Each of those recall requests came from his state email address.
Phillips later sent the reporter a similar message from a Yahoo account. Much of it was copied and pasted from the original email and closed with the parting salutation: “kiss my ass.”
Racist Facebook posts no longer visible after Alpha News inquiry
Since Alpha News’ inquiry, all public posts on Phillips’ Facebook page have been either deleted or made private — but not before dozens of screenshots were captured.
One post on June 19 stated: “White folk don’t care, simply, they are morally bankrupt, inherently racist, and liars, that’s why unless I know White folk personally, I don’t f-ck with them; they are raised not to be forthright with anyone, other than their own kind, this is why collectively their veracity will always be tainted, compromised with other ethnicities.”
Another post on June 4 stated: “I live and work around the type of people he’s talking about; and these White folk that voted for Trump are angry, f-ck them, they’re getting what they deserve…”
Alpha News asked the MPCA about whether he was using taxpayer-funded time to post these inflammatory comments but did not receive a response about that.
MPCA confirms Phillips is on leave amid investigation
In response to Alpha News’ inquiries, the MPCA issued a statement and confirmed that Phillips is currently on leave:
“Employees of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are public employees and are held to the highest standards of conduct. We work to create an environment that is free from disrespect and discrimination, and we take that responsibility seriously. Vonnie Phillips is on leave from the MPCA. We are following up on this matter and cannot further discuss personnel matters,” the statement read.
When asked whether Phillips’ leave is paid or unpaid, an MPCA spokesperson replied: “I cannot comment further.”
Phillips’s role includes enforcing diversity policies
Phillips is listed as the contact person for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Affirmative Action Plan for 2024–2026, a document outlining the agency’s diversity goals and hiring practices.
According to the agency’s Affirmative Action Plan, Phillips carries significant responsibilities for overseeing and enforcing diversity initiatives. Other duties include complying “with state-wide and agency anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.”
Additionally, the State of Minnesota’s Respectful Workplace policy outlines clear expectations for how employees are to conduct themselves.
“The State of Minnesota is committed to providing a positive environment in which all staff, members of the public and others doing business with the state are treated with respect.”
It further states: “Employees and third parties are expected to: Conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect for others in the workplace and public service environment … Failure to comply with this policy and its procedures may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, or ending a contractor or volunteer relationship with the agency.”
This isn’t the first time the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
Alpha News recently broke the story of Wilson Tindi, a convicted sex offender and former ICE detainee whose rise in Minnesota state government began at the MPCA — despite his felony record and placement on the state’s predatory offender registry.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
