The City of Laguna Niguel will investigate a number of complaints against Mayor Jerry Slusiewicz ranging from abuse of power to bullying of city employees. The city council voted to direct City Attorney Terry Dixon to investigate the allegations and explore options for possible removal from office in a 4 to 1 vote Monday. Dixon will return his findings to the council on Aug. 7.
Monday’s discussions were heated. Slusiewicz continued to lead the meeting over the objections of Dixon and called the entire ordeal a “witch hunt.”
“I have bruised some feelings over the past six months, but since when was carrying out my duties as mayor grounds for removal from my colleagues?” he asked.
Slusiewicz’s critics say he did far more than that. He is accused of using his position as mayor to demand a discount on carpet and a role for his daughter in a school play. Former and current staff have also said he bullied and berated them, causing some to leave the city. Dixon claims the mayor then ordered him to suppress emails detailing complaints against him.
Read more at the Orange County Register and Voice of OC.