Allegations of sexual harassment, Brown Act violations in Ventura County
March 17, 2022
Michael Powers
By KAREN VELIE
Amid allegations of sexual harassment, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors placed Executive Officer Mike Powers on leave last week, though the board allegedly failed to properly report the action leading to Brown Act violation complaints.
An outside investigation found “a preponderance of the evidence” substantiated a county employee’s claim that Powers, 30, sexually harassed her by asking her out and kissing her in the office, according to the Thousand Oaks Acorn. The employee also accused Powers of calling her a “racially insensitive nickname.”
Powers has disputed the allegations.
On March 8, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted to place Powers on administrated leave during a closed session meeting. Even though government agencies are required to list the reason for a closed session item on their agenda and announce any action taken after the vote, Ventura County officials did neither.
The Ralph M. Brown Act was passed in 1953 because of mounting concerns that government bodies were avoiding scrutiny by meeting secretly. The act, which has been amended and strengthened in the years since, guarantees the public the right to attend and participate in meetings of legislative bodies, to have forewarning of discussion items through posted agendas, and forbids a majority of board members from discussing government issues in private.
Powers suddenly resigned on March 10.
The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines