Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/matthew-fertal/)
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.
A report released Wednesday by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office concludes that officials violated the state’s open meetings law, but the violations did not go so far as to warrant criminal charges.
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.
In the wake of nepotism and contract scandals, members of the Garden Grove City Council have settled on an official from Cincinnati who they say has a reputation for high ethics and transparency to take over as city manager.
Scott C. Stiles, the assistant city manager for the city of Cincinnati, is likely to be appointed as Garden Grove’s permanent city manager on Thursday.
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 Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to waive their attorney-client privilege in an ongoing Orange County District Attorney investigation into potential nepotism in the hiring of former Mayor Bruce Broadwater’s son and into a job deal for the former fire chief.
Garden Grove will immediately begin a national search for a new city manager.
After a year of political tumult, Matthew Fertal abruptly announced his retirement Tuesday. Meanwhile, residents showed up in force to the City Council meeting in protest of a deal for the departed fire chief.
The resignation of Fire Chief David Barlag comes just ahead of a report on the department’s management, including the hiring of the mayor’s son.