Newport Beach Human Resources Director Barbara Salvini has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging public malfeasance and retaliation.
Salvini’s suit centers around a 2023 investigation and subsequent audit into potential wrongdoing by executive-level staff. According to Salvini, the audit found evidence that City Manager Grace Leung and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles had manipulated their leave time for financial gain. When the alleged wrongdoing was discovered, Leung immediately moved to cover it up, says Salvini. Leung “directed the Plaintiff and Finance Director to make changes to her records” in an attempt to “hide the wrongdoing,” the suit claims.
Salvini says Leung then went after her, working with City Attorney Aaron Harp to create a hostile work environment. Salvini was allegedly denied a pay increase as part of the retaliation. She is seeking damages and a jury trial.
The city declined to comment on the lawsuit, but says it previously looked into Salvini’s claims and “found them to be without merit.”
Read more at Voice of OC.
For a copy of the lawsuit, click here.