Walnut Creek City Attorney Resigns, Says Mayor Tried to Stop Investigation

Citing an "intolerable" work environment at Walnut Creek City Hall, City Attorney Bryan Wenter resigned this week, the second department head to step down in the wake of the investigation into the handling of the Jason Pedroza scandal.

Wenter told the Contra Costa Times that Mayor Cindy Silva and an unnamed council member tried to thwart the internal investigation into the city's handling of the Pedroza incident in April. He said that's when it became clear  that City Manager Ken Nordhoff knew about Pedroza sending inappropriate text messages to a minor shortly after the incident and did not inform the council.

Wenter said that Silva and the unnamed council member mentioned that his performance review was coming up, which he took as pressure to stop the investigation. He said he was also told by another council member to "watch his back." 

Silva and councilman Bob Simmons both deny trying to stop the investigation, or put pressure on Wenter. They told the Times they were trying to bring it to a timely end so the city could move on. Councilwoman Loella Haskew said she cautioned Wenter to "watch his back," but only because she was concerned he was taking sides in the matter. 

Because four other department employees had similar knowledge, they were placed on leave with pay during an internal review of the matter, which later concluded they handled the matter appropriately. However, an independent outside investigation concluded that Nordhoff and Human Resources Director Sally Rice were less than forthcoming and evasive in their answers to questions. Rice also resigned last week.