WELCOME TO THE SABATINO REPORT

OCTOBER 9, 2006

KEATINGS ACTIONS COULD COST AS MUCH AS $320,000

BEE EDITOR “WATCH DOG “ VASCHE LOOKS THE OTHER WAY

During a publicly noticed City of Modesto Finance Committee Meeting in 2004, Council Member Janice Keating made remarks about a city employee that led to a complaint, by that employee, on the basis of Sex and Age discrimination.

Without consultation with the Mayor, City Attorney Mike Milich hired an outside attorney to investigate and defend Council Member Keating.

The behavior of Council Member Keating put the City of Modesto at risk and led to her removal from the Finance Committee by Mayor Sabatino.

As a result, Council Members Keating, O’Bryant, and Conrad solicited the vote of Council Member Fisher, and with the assistance of the City Attorney violated the Brown Act. By a vote of four to three they succeeded in passing an ordinance that stripped the sitting Mayor from his power to appoint committee members.  The ordinance does not apply to current Mayor. Keating, O’Bryant, and Conrad appointed themselves to membership of various committees, while removing the Mayor from the Finance Committee.

The employee was given an $18,000 per year raise and the matter was apparently closed. It should be noted that Keating was attempting to replace the employee who was later given this raise in pay.

When City Manager Jack Crist was asked about the status of the case he replied, “Mayor, pay (the employee) now, or pay (the employee) later.”

City Attorney Mike Milich, who now works for Mike Zagaris, engaged in “questionable” negotiations in the attempted resolution of the Keating fiasco.  Keating runs for office on the Zagaris Ticket.

Finally, it is possible that the matter was settled for an additional amount.  The taxpayers have every right to know what is being done with their tax dollars.

Former Mayor Carmen Sabatino attempted to obtain the legal bills for the Janice Keating fiasco, under the Public Records Act.

City Attorney Michael Milich stated the records were given to the CityManager and were no longer in his office. The City Manager, Jack Crist, said that he could not release the documents under the advice of the City Attorney.

The documents have not been provided.  Perhaps “watch dog” Vasche could help?