Cleveland City Council censures Joe Jones for misconduct after threat to 'kill' employee

For the first time in half a century, Cleveland City Council members voted Monday to censure one of their colleagues.

Councilmembers approved the formal reprimand of Ward 1 representative Joe Jones for misconduct and unprofessional behavior in the workplace, including an incident in which the councilmember allegedly threatened to "kill" a council employee .

The death threat, which Jones has defended as a joke without malicious intent, was among a set of accusations that came to light last month.

Council President Blaine Griffin called the censure a "culmination" of 14 months of problems with Jones.

"I understand the gravity and how important it is for us to address this situation and do something that hasn't been done by this body in nearly five decades," Griffin said, addressing col