The United Nations said Wednesday it had fired Fabrizio Hochschild, its first-ever technology envoy, after concluding an investigation into allegations of harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination against him.
“I can now confirm that the U.N.’s own internal accountability process concerning Mr. Hochschild has been completed … Mr. Hochschild’s placement on administrative leave has ended and he has been separated from service of the U.N,” the spokesperson said.
POLITICO reported in May that Chilean diplomat Hochschild — who’d been named the U.N.’s envoy on technology last January — was facing an investigation brought by current and former staffers. He was placed on leave five days after being appointed to one of the highest-ranking roles at the U.N. by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
Hochschild has denied the allegations. He confirmed on social media Wednesday that his more than 30 years of service to the U.N. had ended.
“My eagerness to deliver led some to see me as an overbearing and over-demanding supervisor, for which I apologize,” Hochschild tweeted.
“Multiple factors undermined my most basic due process rights. I am therefore considering seeking an independent review at the UN Dispute Tribunal [sic],” he continued.
In the same tweet, he called media reports of sexual harassment and financial misconduct “false and defamatory.”
The U.N. spokesperson underscored ongoing efforts to combat harassment.