Supervisors OKs Recorder Employee’s Transfer

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the transfer of Orange County Recorder Office employee Nancy L. Smith, whose workplace relationship with the agency’s elected head was among the disruptive situations that led to an intense investigation of the office’s management.

Smith, who had been a manager in Recorder Lee A. Branch’s office, will be reassigned to the Community Services Agency. The move is meant to separate Smith from Branch, who had come under fire for their relationship, along with allegations of other office improprieties, including sexual harassment and gross mismanagement.

Branch, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, declined to comment Tuesday on the board’s action. Smith could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Smith’s new job will include similar duties, working with records management, said Bill Baker, director of the Community Services Agency. She will receive the same pay.

A report by the county Personnel Department said the relationship between Branch and Smith, and the alleged favored treatment she received from him, created such a hostile environment that at least nine employees sought medical care or counseling for stress and depression.

The board in January took the unprecedented step of censuring Branch, whose job overseeing real estate and loan transactions had been among the most obscure of the county’s elected posts. The board has no direct control over Branch, who has held his post since 1979 and has said he will seek reelection in June. The district attorney’s office and the Orange County Grand Jury are conducting an investigation to decide if the misconduct charges warrant Branch’s removal from office.