Personnel Director Cleared in Sex Scandal at City Hall
San Diego Personnel Director Rich Snapper has been cleared by the Civil Service Commission of wrongdoing in a sex-and-secret-payment scandal at City Hall.
Snapper, City Atty. John Witt and former City Manager John Lockwood were criticized for approving a secret $100,000 payment in 1991 to settle a sexual harassment claim against former Planning Director Bob Spaulding.
Spaulding, who no longer works for the city, was accused of sexual harassment by Susan Bray, a former city planner.
Snapper, Lockwood and Witt did not reveal the settlement to the City Council. The deal was disclosed by the press in May. Although Snapper was absolved of wrongdoing, Lockwood was criticized in the commission’s findings for not notifying the City Council about the settlement.
The only criticism of Snapper was for not reporting the secret settlement to the commission.
Witt and two other officials in the city manager’s office were also investigated for their roles in the incident. All officials who were investigated were cleared.
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