The political developments in Carson over the past week are enough to make even the most seasoned observer’s head spin. In the span of 48 hours, the city lost a brand new city clerk, placed its city manager on leave, and fired an HR director accused of embezzling from a nonprofit. This all follows months of anger and frustration over the smell of hydrogen sulfide enveloping the city. The odor has thankfully faded, but the anger has not.
The political upheaval began on Dec. 7 when newly elected City Clerk Myla Rahman resigned from the office she had not yet been sworn into. The motivation behind her decision is unclear.
Two days later, the city council moved to fire its human resources director, Faye Moseley. She and her husband have been accused of embezzling funds from the National Sales Network’s Los Angeles chapter. On the day Moseley was fired, a judge ordered the couple to pay the nonprofit nearly $83,000 in restitution.
On the same day that Moseley was fired, the city council placed City Manager Sharon Landers on leave. The city would not say why. Assistant City Manager David Roberts was named interim city manager during a special Dec. 9 council meeting, but it appears he may not even want the job.
Is all of this related? We don’t know. The Daily Breeze could not get a comment from the city because it’s a personnel matter. The Moseleys could not be reached for comment either, the publication said.
Something stinks in Carson – and it isn’t the hydrogen sulfide.