Stockton City Council Member Michele Padilla has spoken out regarding allegations of misconduct against City Manager Harry Black. In a public statement released on Friday, Padilla drew attention to a complaint filed earlier this year by a California Water Services employee against Black through the city attorney.
Padilla asserted that she, too, had experienced misconduct at the hands of City Manager Black and reported it to the city attorney. The allegations include bullying, discrimination, and harassment, which have led Padilla to avoid one-on-one meetings with Black.
Earlier this week, the city conducted a closed session to evaluate the performance of the city manager, considering possible disciplinary actions, dismissal, or release, as well as potential litigation. Due to legal constraints outlined in the Brown Act, specific details from the meeting cannot be disclosed. However, the city attorney reported no actions following the session.
Padilla expressed her dissatisfaction with this outcome, calling on the city council to reconsider Black's leadership position. She emphasized the importance of unity within the community and the need for equitable treatment and respect for all employees.
When reached for comment, both the city and Harry Black declined to provide statements on the matter. California Water Services released a statement, indicating their desire to put the incident behind them and confirming that they had not authorized any comments or actions related to the matter.
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln also weighed in on the allegations, emphasizing his disapproval of inappropriate, discriminatory, or harmful workplace behavior. Mayor Lincoln affirmed the right of any employee, city representative, or member of the public to express their concerns or file complaints.
The city encourages individuals wishing to file a complaint to utilize the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline or submit a report through the city's website, promoting transparency and accountability in addressing such issues within the community. As the situation unfolds, the Stockton community will be closely watching the city council's response to these serious allegations.
