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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRobles, Sarah - Closed sessionFrom:Sarah To:PublicComments Cc:Council; Kenesha Boyd; Telicia Lopez Subject:Susie Soren Claim - Closed session Date:Wednesday, March 4, 2026 1:28:20 PM Caution - This email originated from outside the City - Verify that the Email display name and Email address are consistent. - Use caution when opening attachments. Councilmember, A claim filed by Susie Soren — former Human Resources Director and most recently Deputy City Manager under the repeatedly‑terminated attorney Charles Montoya — is scheduled for today’s closed session. While I do not know the specifics of her allegation, I want to express my concerns about her conduct and handling of sensitive information during her employment with the City of San Bernardino. Ms. Soren is named in Steve carrigan’s lawsuit, in which she reportedly called him directly and stated, “we cost you your job.” As a former HR Director, she should have known not to make statements that could be interpreted as admitting liability before any formal investigation was completed. I also want to remind the Council that it was this body that voted to hire Charles Montoya — whom you later fired without cause despite substantial evidence that he was entering into an agreement with Stifel Bonds that, according to former Finance Director Barbara Whitehorn, could have bankrupted the city. Ms. Whitehorn came before this Council and publicly warned you of this risk. She also reported that both Montoya and Ms. Soren confronted her in her office in an intimidating manner shortly before she was terminated after raising concerns about the city’s financial condition upon returning from leave. Aside from the special meeting where you unanimously voted to fire Montoya, the Council has never publicly reported back on any actions taken regarding his misconduct. Instead, you chose to terminate him without cause, even though he concealed the Stifel agreement and acted without Council approval. Public records requests related to these issues have been repeatedly delayed or extended without explanation, and City Attorney Sonia Carvalho is likely aware of these practices. Emails show that both Ms. Carvalho and Ms. Soren were included in correspondence related to the financial issues and the Stifel matter. Why were they involved in these discussions without your knowledge? And why has this entire issue been quietly pushed aside? Meanwhile, Barbara Whitehorn — who raised legitimate concerns supported by financial records — was left without protection. Sonia Carvalho publicly stated that “just because someone calls themselves a whistleblower doesn’t mean they are,” yet the documented evidence strongly supported Ms. Whitehorn’s warnings about the city’s financial instability. As you review Ms. Soren’s claim in closed session, I urge you to consider the full context: the pattern of misconduct, the mishandling of sensitive information, and the appearance of loyalty to Charles Montoya and others, over the interests of the public and people who have the city's best interest. The community has not forgotten these events, even if some on this Council may prefer to move past them. Instead of accountability, we continue to see protection of insiders and retaliation against those who attempt to expose the truth.