Last week, Palm Desert’s city manager unexpectedly quit his cushy (and overpaid) gig, giving no reason for his abrupt departure. Now, as KESQ reports, that may be because it had to do with him allegedly taking some naked photos of a city employee then showing it around to other employees.
The TV station received a letter from a Los Angeles law firm with some startling accusations:
The letter reveals former City Manager John Wohlmuth reportedly took a picture of a city employee jumping nude in his pool last month.
Wohlmuth then allegedly showed the photo to other city employees who complained. The letter also accuses the former City Manager of laying off a city employee based on her age and gender. Wohlmuth allegedly told the employee “there is no room for a middle age female in the city”.
Nice guy.
Whohlmuth, who was being paid $245,000 a year plus another $105,000 per year in benefits, will be paid between $200,000 and $300,000 by the city for his retirement, according to KESQ.
Sure, that money could have gone to fix potholes, fight crime, hold community events, give low level city employees a raise, or to pay out what is sure to be a lawsuit or two against the city by the unnamed nude swimmer – but, it won’t be.
When asked about the accusations, Palm Desert Mayor Robert Spiegel said he is aware of the accusations, but defended paying Wohlmuth all that coin.
“Our city is pretty well run, it has been for years we’re going to get a new city manager and continue to grow,” Spiegel told KESQ.
Update: The Desert Sun reports that Wohlmuth did not deny showing the photo when pressed on it by City Attorney Robert Hargreaves and Human Resources Manager Lori Carney.
The newspaper also reports the payout at $294,000.
