BELL GARDENS : Fired City Manager Loses Rehiring Bid
The city has rejected a claim filed in July by former City Manager William Vasquez, who says he was fired improperly and should be rehired. Vasquez, who was paid $96,000 a year, also demanded that the city pay him back salary and benefits.
Vasquez, who was fired in March by a 3-2 City Council vote, said he will sue the city.
Vasquez, 46, contended in his claim that Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia, who cast a vote to fire him, should not have been allowed to vote because the former city manager had loaned $1,000 to Garcia. The loan constituted a financial relationship, which should have disqualified Garcia from voting, according to the claim.
The state Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating the vote.
Garcia joined Mayor Frank B. Duran and Councilwoman Rosa Hernandez in voting to fire Vasquez because they believed he did not have enough experience. The Bell Gardens post had been his first as a city manager.
Council members George T. Deitch and Josefina (Josie) Macias voted against the dismissal.
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