Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/jeremy-broadwater/)
The city of Garden Grove has released an independent report that found no evidence that ex-fire chief David Barlag had expectations of a “no-show” job following his resignation in the wake of the city’s nepotism scandal.
Jeremy Broadwater, son of former Mayor Bruce Broadwater, is seeking $1 million in damages for what he claims was retaliation and harassment following his hiring in 2013.
Former Fire Chief David Barlag retired on Monday from a position created for him during a secret City Council vote in September 2014. His departure comes amid pressure on the City Council to scrutinize his work.
Garden Grove City Manager Scott Stiles has instituted new rules regarding the promotion of city employees who have relatives also working for the city.
At least 117 employees, including a council member and former mayor, in recent years have had at least one relative also working for the city, according to a public records request posted on the city’s website.
The son of former Garden Grove Mayor Bruce Broadwater, who is at the center of the city’s nepotism scandal, has been on leave from his job as firefighter with workers’ compensation benefits since July.
Out of an applicant pool of as many as 500, the Orange County District Attorney’s office hired the offspring of two members of Tony Rackauckas’ inner circle as entry-level prosecutors.
Officials want to take steps to improve the city’s relationship with residents and the media after more than a year of dealing with fallout from nepotism revelations.
Garden Grove city officials handed over records in April in response to a request by the District Attorney’s office, which is investigating allegations of nepotism and Brown Act violations.
Following nearly two years of turmoil, the city has picked Tom Schultz, deputy chief of operations for the Fullerton and Brea Fire Departments, to replace its embattled former Chief David Barlag.