Glendale’s Finance Chief Placed on Paid Leave Pending Probe

Four months after receiving two complaints from city employees about Finance Director Brian Butler’s “performance and behavior,” city officials have placed Glendale’s top appointed financial officer on paid leave, officials said Tuesday.

The investigation, expected to last at least 30 days and probably more, has uncovered no financial wrongdoing, officials said.

“I’m surprised by this, but beyond that, I just can’t comment,” Butler said, citing a gag order issued by Interim City Manager Bob McFall.

One city official close to the investigation dismissed it as a “witch hunt” launched by political enemies of Butler who resent the finance director’s “outspokenness.”

“He wasn’t afraid to tell people exactly what he thought,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

That included often berating the City Council with his opinions. Last year during a discussion on the possible creation of a city auditor’s office--considered by some necessary in the wake of more than $1 million in embezzlement from city departments in the past five years--opponents of the position argued it was unnecessary and an infringement on Butler’s authority.

“If I’m not doing a good job, fire me,” Butler said at the time. He was assured his job was safe, that his department would retain its turf and that the discussion of a city auditor in no way reflected on his performance. The inquiry was launched by David Ramsay, the former city manager.

“I initiated the investigation during the last month I was there based on two complaints I’d received,” Ramsay said during a phone interview from Kirkland, Wash., where he is now a city manager. “This was entirely dealing with performance and behavior issues. It was not fiscal-policy related.”

The office of finance director is the city’s eighth highest-paying nonelective office--$9,794 in salary per month. Budgeted at more than $2 million last year, the finance department is the most heavily funded administrative department in City Hall, according to the city’s 1997-98 budget.

While on paid leave, which will last at least 30 days, Butler has been ordered not to leave his house during city business hours except for an hour during lunch, said Jim Patrick, Glendale assistant personnel director.

“At this time, speculation does disservice to the system and the people,” McFall, the interim city manager, said, echoing comments by City Council members who also refused to discuss Butler’s administrative leave.

“We just can’t comment, it wouldn’t be right, not at this time,” Councilwoman Eileen Givens said.

During a phone interview from his home, Butler laughed that he was under virtual house arrest, but refused to even speculate about the nature of the investigation, as did virtually everyone interviewed.

“I can’t comment, it’s so sensitive,” Councilman David Weaver said. “It’s very tough; he’s a friend of mine.”

It is now up to the city manager to make a determination: fire Butler, demote him, suspend him for 90 days, or do nothing. If a penalty is recommended, a hearing officer considers the matter. The hearing officer’s decision can be appealed to the Civil Service Commission. The City Council, however, must approve any decision to fire Butler, according to Howard.

Butler, a longtime Glendale resident, began his career with Glendale in 1977 as an assistant city controller, a job he held for six years until his promotion to finance director.

“We have to let the [civil service] process take its course to protect Mr. Butler,” Mayor Larry Zarian said.