Claim exposes former SLO County supervisor’s sexual misconduct

November 19, 2020

Supervisor Adam Hill

By KAREN VELIE

A recently released claim and settlement agreement exposes deceased San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s sexual misconduct and destruction of records.

Last week, SLO County settled a sexual harassment complaint Hill’s former legislative assistant Nicole Nix lodged against the county. In the settlement agreement, the county agreed to pay Nix $39,288, which is equivalent to six-months salary.

In the July 27 complaint, Nix accuses Hill of sexual misconduct, including groping, slapping, and “gross things,” though the specifics are difficult to determine because of heavy redacting by the county. However, the complaint does detail how Nix became Hill’s administrative assistant.

In late 2017, Hill and Nix began dating. Then in early 2019, Hill terminated his then-legislative assistant and hired Nix at more than $100,000 a year in pay and benefits.

In Oct. 2019, the couple broke up after Hill became concerned the public would find out about their relationship, according to the claim. In early 2020, Hill and Nix had sex for the last time following an event the pair attended together, according to the complaint.

At mid-2020, Hill was also dating his wife, whom he was divorcing. This caused friction between Hill and Nix.

It was around this time that Hill ordered Nix to delete emails.

“Recognizing the need to preserve emails due to public records requirements, (name redacted) asked which ones,” according to the complaint. “He replied, ‘Just the emails people shouldn’t see.’ “

Hill said the emails he wanted her “to delete were related to,” followed by 10 redacted lines in the complaint.

After their breakup, Hill groped her sexually and slapped her on the butt while she plugged in a television, according to the complaint. Hill said he could not help himself, and that his assistant needed to “quit being so sexy.”

Hill would text Nix at night when he was intoxicated, the complaint says.

She “stated Hill’s texts to (her) had become a pattern: Cryptic, cryptic, cryptic, suicidal, and then he would be fine for a month,” according to the complaint.

Hill was often angry, lashed out, and pounded items with his fists, according to the complaint.  The complaint notes that “Hill was using,” but redacts the rest of the paragraph.

Less than a week after Nix filed her complaint, and shortly after Hill learned the accusation was on an upcoming Board of Supervisor’s meeting agenda for discussion in closed session, Hill committed suicide on Aug. 6.

Redacted copy of a complaint. by CalCoastNews


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The first time he tried to end his life, his inability to perform in the best interest of this county should have terminated the relationship (liability) with his county governing position. If this was not legal, we definitely have another problem.


Who gets to do the redaction and for what purpose? To protect her? If so, such a heavy hand is not needed. To protect Hill? That obviously doesn’t make sense. To shield from the public the county’s ineptitude and those complicit with Hill? Bingo.


And now, full circle. Another of Hill’s former girlfriends is appointed to his vacant seat. The circle of political incest is a large one in District 3, the zaniest of all 5. I think the voters like their pols nutty, boozy and amoral.


Immoral. They all know better. All of them…


A Freudian typo?


2 statements from this article seem to be contradiction ;


1. ” In the settlement agreement, the county agreed to pay Nix $39,288, which is equivalent to six-months salary.” and

2. “Then in early 2019, Hill terminated his then-legislative assistant and hired Nix at more than $100,000 a year in pay and benefits.”


I guess one should assume that her salary was only $78,576; But benefits put total at well over

a $100K. Or was Hill paying her for other benefits?


Another supervisor was carrying on in the same way…wish he would finish himself off also.


Gosh, wouldn’t it be nice if the settlement came out of the budget of Hill’s district only? There is no accountability, ever.


And how many in positions of authority knew for years able Hill’s actions and behavior and did nothing? We have mandatory reporters when it comes to children we should also have mandatory reporters when it comes to the entire public sector.


Now, now, let’s not speak ill of the dead. No matter how God-awful of a human being they were.


Suicide did not absolve Hill of his life as an asshole. He hurt many people in this county, some so badly it impacted their very lives. So do not lecture with your silly adage. He was God-awful, as you say.


This is a nicely done story, but the presentation could be improved by a photo of the public record itself so we could see what the redactions were and how they looked.


Would be nice, George, but if the county won’t give it up, that’s the way it is. Hill was a scumbag, and it’s perfectly appropriate to say so. He was a total waste of skin. And so is she.