Alameda’s former city manager Jill Keimach did not break the law when she secretly recorded city council members allegedly pressuring her to hire a union-backed candidate for fire chief. That is the conclusion of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, which was outlined in an 11-page report released earlier this month.
Prosecutors said California law allows the recording of confidential conversations when there is a “reasonable belief that the communication would relate to certain criminal conduct, including bribery or extortion." The conversation with Keimach did not actually reveal any bribery or extortion attempts by the council members, the DA was careful to note, but her expectation that it would — given the nature of the conversation and alleged prior discussions — “was not unreasonable.”
Keimach was placed on leave in March after the secret recordings were revealed. She departed in May with a $945,000 separation agreement.
See also:
Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach Resigns
After Months of Controversy, Alameda Places Its City Manager on Leave