The San Diego City Council approved a $146,000 settlement with former Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan on Tuesday, bringing an end to a complicated saga that has plagued the city since Dargan’s abrupt dismissal in February.
Dargan was removed from his role as COO after serving just a few months; he had been appointed by Mayor Todd Gloria in September 2022. The mayor expressed gratitude for Dargan’s service running various city departments.
Initially, Dargan’s removal appeared to be a cost-saving layoff when Gloria’s office decided to absorb the COO position.
However, the situation escalated when Dargan filed a discrimination lawsuit in March, claiming that he was wrongfully denied three months of severance pay, which he alleged constituted a breach of contract.
In response, Gloria stated that Dargan was terminated for cause and therefore was not entitled to severance pay, signaling a significant shift in the mayor’s initial narrative surrounding Dargan’s exit.
On Monday, the City Council voted to approve the settlement, which exceeded the $120,000 Dargan had sought in his lawsuit. Council members Marni von Wilpert and Raul Campillo stood in opposition to the settlement. Campillo acknowledged Dargan’s positive contributions but remarked that there was no evidence supporting Dargan’s claims.
This settlement may now draw a close to a curious episode involving allegations of discrimination, particularly as Dargan, who is Black, faced rumors regarding his behavior in meetings, such as falling asleep.
At a recent council meeting, Councilman Henry Foster III challenged the mayor’s decision to take over the COO position, expressing concerns over Gloria’s management abilities during a critical time for the city’s fiscal operations.
Despite Foster’s attempts to reverse this move, the council ultimately upheld the mayor’s line-item veto, affirming the position of COO within the executive office. This decision passed with a 6-3 vote, reflecting a divide over the management of the city’s finances.
Local activist Shane Harris weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the importance of the COO role and criticizing Gloria’s capability to handle the intricacies of running such a large organization amidst a budget crisis.
In light of these developments, Mayor Gloria dismissed the claims and criticized some council members for attempting to override his budgetary vetoes. He articulated his commitment to fiscal responsibility and a realistic approach to budgeting, which he argued was essential for the city’s future.
Gloria articulated his position firmly, stating, ‘Today, some members of the City Council attempted to fully override my line-item veto, and they failed.’ He argued against the notion of unrealistic spending and decision-making that could jeopardize the city’s financial stability.
Reflecting on the council’s actions, Gloria expressed concern over the potential weakening of the city’s financial footing, cautioning that such decisions could lead to midyear budget cuts, layoffs, and facility closures if economic assumptions do not hold.
He asserted, ‘I did not run for mayor to repeat the mistakes of the past. I have been honest with San Diegans about our finances and made every effort to fix the structural deficit, making tough decisions necessary to build a stronger future.’
In conclusion, the funds for the $146,000 settlement to Dargan will be drawn from a public liability fund, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the San Diego city administration.
image source from：nbcsandiego
