OC Judge Refuses Locked-Out Official's Plea To Return To Work
SANTA ANA (CBS) — An Orange County judge on Monday denied a request to issue an emergency order that would allow an ousted county official to return to work.
KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports the order was given despite a plea from Public Administrator John Williams to keep his office — and his job.
County officials locked him out of his office last week after they claimed to have reach an agreement with Williams that he would retire last week.
But Williams — who was re-elected Public Administrator-Guardian in 2010 — later said he changed his mind and wants to keep his position.
His attorney Phil Greer said Williams was illegally locked out of office by county supervisors who claim the Public Administrator submitted his resignation.
"He simply was having conversation with Bill Campbell who at the moment was chairman of the board and said 'I'm thinking about retiring in January'," said Greer. "That's not a valid resignation."
Supervisors have called for Williams' resignation after two grand jury reports and an independent auditor hired by the county issued reports that were highly critical of Williams' job performance.
In March, the judge will hold a full hearing on Williams' request to return to work.
