San Luis city manager cleared of accusations
SAN LUIS, Ariz. - An investigation conducted by a Yuma attorney has cleared the San Luis city administrator of four allegations made against him in January by the city's human resource director.
Rosalicia Cordova filed a complaint on Jan. 23 accusing Ruiz of creating a hostile work environment, abuse of power, retaliating against her for whistleblowing and violation of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission rules against gender discrimination.
Yuma attorney Pamela Walsma was hired by the city a week later to conduct an investigation of the administrator, and she released the finished report of the probe this week.
According to the report, the hostile work environment against Ruiz "consisted of Mr. Ruiz interacting with her in an angry and demeaning manner on numerous occasions and Mr. Ruiz repeatedly confronting her in an accusatory manner." The report adds that Cordova believes the hostile environment was based on sex discrimination and retaliation.
As the result of interviews with Ruiz, Kerry Jones, the San Luis administrative service director; Paul Melcher, the assistant city administrator; and Mayor Guillermina Fuentes, Walsma's report concludes that there have been numerous disagreements between Ruiz and Cordova, resulting in a strained relationship between the two.
It also states it is known that Ruiz is "a forceful person with high expectations and strong views," and that sometimes his intensity is reflected in his voice. And according to witnesses in the report who observed some of the discussions between Ruiz and Cordova, Ruiz "displayed restraint in the face of persistent noncompliance and possible insubordination by Ms. Cordova."
The report states that there was no hostile work environment found and that the discussions between Ruiz and Cordova "were related to her job performance, not sex discrimination or retaliation."
Cordova said on Thursday she is not satisfied with the results of the investigation and will continue seeking an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the EEOC.
Cordova said she is suffering consequences - such as health problems - from what occurred between Ruiz and her.
Ruiz said he did not do anything wrong and was never in doubt he would be cleared of the accusations.
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Jacob Lopez can be reached at jlopez@yumasun.com or 539-6872.
