Four Suspended Walnut Creek Employees Will Return To Work

Four managers with the city of Walnut Creek who have been on administrative leave since March 22 will return to work next week, the city's communication manager announced on Thursday.

Arts director Barry Gordon, his deputy Kevin Safine, Lesher Center Manager Scott Denison and city Human Resource Manager Sally Rice were all placed on administrative leave in March after a leaked memo from the police department accused the four of having knowledge of a Lesher Center employee suspected of having inappropriate contact with a minor and not reporting it to state authorities. The four have denied knowing about anything more than an inappropriate email from Jason Pedroza to a minor.

Earlier this month, City Manager Ken Nordhoff was also accused of knowing about the incident and not reporting it. He was removed from the investigation, and instead that responsibility was given to Public Services director Heather Ballenger.

She has cleared the four suspended workers of any wrongdoing, and all four will return to work on Monday.

Her conclusion was the all four employees "acted absolutely appropriately to protect minors by promptly terminating the worker involved and documenting the situation," she said.

According to a release by Communications Manager Gayle Vasser, the investigation also shows that "the employees learned of the allegations only after a law enforcement agency was aware of them and conducting its own investigation."

All four said they were aware that the Danville police were investigating charges that Pedroza had inappropriate contact with a girl from that city.

“My task was to make a decision regarding the four employees, something I'm pleased to say is now done,” said Ballenger. “These employees have shown extraordinary patience throughout a long and complicated process. This has been a long and detailed investigation, but one that was necessary, given the seriousness of the underlying issue. We understand that as a city we must continue to be diligent and ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities to protect children.”

Vasser said that the city is "finalizing a comprehensive, citywide policy on mandated reporter training."