City Administrator Put on Leave; Action Assailed
Hawaiian Gardens City Administrator Leonard Chaidez has been placed on paid leave pending a special meeting tonight of the City Council, Mayor Lupe Cabrera said Tuesday.
Cabrera said he and City Atty. Julia Sylva told Chaidez to go home late Monday. Cabrera did not disclose the reason for the action, citing confidential personnel matters. Sylva said she appointed Assistant City Administrator Paul Hogan to replace Chaidez until the council makes a final decision.
The move to remove Chaidez was immediately criticized by city staff and Councilman Don Schultze, who said he and other council members were not notified of the decision. He also suggested that Chaidez could only be placed on leave by a vote of the City Council.
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