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Last week, things were looking good for Atherton Finance Director John Johns. Annual audits are showing that the town is in good financial health, and the Atherton Audit Committee drafted a letter of commendation for his “exemplary service.”
This week, Mr. Johns is home on administrative leave while an attorney investigates an allegation that he created a “hostile work environment.”
Interim City Manager Wende Protzman confirmed that she placed Mr. Johns on leave on Monday, Aug. 27, after receiving a complaint. She said she hired San Francisco-based attorney Mary Topliff, who has done previous work for the town, to conduct a personnel investigation.
She would not reveal the source of the complaint or its substance, citing privacy issues. “In a personnel matter, all parties, including John, are protected,” Ms. Protzman said. “I hope to have the investigation wrapped up in a couple of weeks.”
Mr. Johns said he wasn’t aware of any complaints from his staff about his demeanor or behavior.
“I don’t think being placed on administrative leave is either necessary or appropriate,” Mr. Johns told the Almanac. “It comes at an awkward time. The very day I was placed on administrative leave is the very day auditors arrived to do the yearly (outside) audit.”
Members of the town’s audit committee, which is charged with overseeing the town’s annual audit, remain staunch supporters of Mr. Johns, said committee Chairman Sam Goodman.
Placing Mr. Johns on administrative leave for creating a hostile work environment “constitutes an unacceptable rebuff,” according to letter to town officials signed by the audit committee. The letter also demands private access to the town’s investigator and reserves the right to bring the matter to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury.
Mr. Goodman said it’s Mr. Johns himself who has been the victim of a hostile work environment, stemming from his scrutiny of the building department.
Mr. Johns conducted a three-phase audit of the Atherton Building Department last year, resulting in a restructuring of that department. The upheaval generated a great deal of outrage among frequent users of the building department, including Atherton residents, developers and contractors.
“I believe information is available in the form of e-mail (showing) intimidation attempts by some of the town officials to punish employees who investigate things in town,” Mr. Goodman said. “The audit committee is interested only in obtaining facts and a fair resolution. The appearances of intimidation are very strong, and that’s something that the audit committee intends to cast some light on.”
Mr. Johns said while he was conducting the last phase of the building department audit he was cautioned by colleague against upsetting powerful people in town. He declined to elaborate on the warning.
“I don’t think you should feel the fear of losing your job just for doing your job,” Mr. Johns said. “The job of the chief financial officer is not to go along to get along. Chief financial officers occasionally have to question spending practices or perform audits, and that’s not always an enjoyable experience.”
Vandalized computer
Mr. Johns said on Monday he was instructed to turn over all town property, including his computer and the key to his office.
That same day, Atherton police began an investigation of a vandalized or broken laptop that was in the finance director’s office. Chief Bob Brennan said the investigation is continuing, and there are no suspects yet. “We have a computer forensics expert, and we will have (evidence of data removal) looked at as part of the investigation,” he said.
However, there is no investigation into a missing laptop, Chief Brennan said, although the police log cites a “damaged/destroyed laptop and missing laptop.”
Mr. Johns said he was surprised to see the investigation listed in the police blotter.
“The town has in their custody the computer I had access to,” he said. “One (computer) I know was cannibalized for spare parts and left in my office, if I needed additional spare parts.”
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