Escondido worker resigns after city learns he runs anti-Semitic website

A 29-year-old clerical employee in the Escondido city manager’s office was forced from his job this week after city officials learned that he operates an anti-Semitic website and is active in a movement that blames Jews for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The city hired Poway resident John Friend about three months ago as a division coordinator. The post is responsible for administrative duties that include supervising support staff and helping develop office policies and procedures, according to the city’s website.

City officials said they were unaware at the time that Friend was an outspoken blogger and contributor to several white supremacist publications. Friend told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he finds “inspiration and guidance from America’s Founding Fathers” as well as “white Christian patriots” such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels.

City Manager Clay Phillips said he was unaware of Friend’s activism until a reporter began asking about it Tuesday and a second person called in the same tip.

Friend said he was called into his supervisor’s office Wednesday and given the option of stepping down or being fired. He chose to resign.

Friend said in an email that he thought “it was inevitable that my political and historical views would become known to the city. I thought that their knowledge of my writing, publishing, and speaking activities, as well as the political and historical perspective I openly espouse, would ultimately result in my termination.”

Phillips said he could not comment in detail about the situation because it’s a personnel issue.

However, he said, “John worked in this office and I did find out about some of his writings on the Internet, and it certainly raises concerns for the city and for me personally as his boss.”

In an email, Friend said he didn’t list any of his writings or website work on his resume or in his job interview, but neither did he try to conceal his political or social views.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com

J. Harry Jones writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.