Posted on 11/03/2004 10:05:24 PM PST by NormsRevenge
San Jose Councilman Terry Gregory's former chief of staff alleges in a wrongful termination claim filed against the city on Tuesday that his former boss strong-armed local businesses for free meals and donations to his district and threatened an employee to ``leave quietly, or else.''
Mayor Ron Gonzales immediately announced he was launching an independent investigation into the allegations by Craig Mann, who served as Gregory's chief of staff from January to December 2003, when he was dismissed.
If the city rejects the claim, Mann is free to file a wrongful termination suit. Mann contends he was fired because he confronted Gregory with the allegations that his boss had engaged in unethical, and possibly illegal, activities.
The mayor's investigation comes on the heels of a separate investigation by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office in the wake of Mercury News reports of alleged misconduct by Gregory, who represents District 7 in south central San Jose.
``This latest claim, allegation, is a pattern of behavior that is very, very disconcerting and one that merits this type of investigation,'' Gonzales said during Tuesday's city council meeting.
Gregory said he had nothing to say other than that he ``absolutely'' supported an independent investigation into his former aide's allegations.
Councilman Dave Cortese said some of the allegations ``might be just reprimandable conduct.''
``Others,'' Cortese said, ``are just over the top. There's no way we can continue to stand by and not call for his resignation if they are substantiated.''
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
More Rat corruption.
No news here, people.... Move along.
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