City Of Temecula Confirms Suspension Of Second High-Ranking Official

The City of Temecula has confirmed that another staffer has been placed on administrative leave.

According to acting City Manager Aaron Adams, long-time city employee Genie Wilson, who serves as Chief Financial Officer for Temecula, was placed on administrative leave this week along with City Manager Bob Johnson.

The city remains mum on why the actions were taken.

“I am not willing to comment on matters of personnel and I appreciate your understanding,” Adams said in an email to Patch this week.

During its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, City Council announced Johnson’s leave, but gave no further detail; Friday Adams confirmed Wilson’s leave in an email to Patch.

According to city documents, Wilson’s role with the city includes overseeing various administrative services including human resources, strategic budgeting and operations, support services, information technology, and accounting and purchasing.

As part of his four-year employment contract agreed to in Sept. 2011 and commenced on Jan. 1, 2012, Johnson received an annual salary of $215,000 and $11,000 a year in deferred compensation for a savings plan, according to the city documents.

If terminated, Johnson will receive a severance payment equal to six months’ salary, as well as insurance benefits during the six months following his firing, according to city documents.

However, if termination is the result of being charged or convicted of a felony, or engaging in corrupt or willful misconduct in office, the city manager's severance benefits will not be paid, according to city documents.

It is not immediately clear what Wilson’s employment contract entails.

At press time, neither Johnson nor Wilson have been charged with any crime, according to Riverside County court records, and its not clear if the two actions by the city this week are in any way tied.

The city has not put out any press releases regarding its actions, but Temecula City Attorney Peter Thorsen said during Tuesday’s city council meeting, "The council will formally consider dismissal of its city manager and appointment of acting city manager at its regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 27.”