A legal complaint filed this month by the former acting city manager of San Bernardino alleges widespread wrongdoing at City Hall, including unethical hiring practices, workplace intimidation, document tampering and more.
The complaint was filed this month by Rochelle Clayton, who was recently tapped to manage the City of Barstow. The filing was obtained by Inland Empire Community News and can be downloaded here.
As the publication notes, the document “paints a damning picture of misconduct at the highest levels, alleging a coordinated effort by city attorneys, councilmembers, and senior officials to control investigations, silence dissent, and protect their own interests.”
These are just some of the allegations made by Clayton in the legal filing:
Investigator Jason Kravetz was pressured by top city officials into finding damaging information against former Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld.
City Attorney Jason Baltimore altered the results of the investigative report, removing over 140 pages.
Clayton was subjected to repeated acts of hostility on the part of City Attorney Sonia Carvalho.
A legal settlement with a former police department employee was inflated to $2.5 million — well beyond the $1.2 million that was recommended.
Councilman Ted Sanchez frequently intimidated and retaliated against city staff, including Clayton, which created a culture of fear.
In addition, an anonymous source who spoke to Inland Empire Community News “alleges that a network of city managers, using the same recruitment coach involved in hiring for both San Bernardino and Salinas, have turned the city into a ‘cash cow’ for personal gain.”
Read more here.