In an October Board of Trustees meeting, Citrus’ fiscal services associate director complained of discrimination from the Human Resources department.
Since the meeting, Fiscal Services Associate Director Todd Owens filed for resignation.
The resignation took into effect on Nov. 30 and has been approved in a consent agenda during a Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 4.
In a consent agenda, items such as contractor/consultant agreements, certain authorizations and agreements have been previously viewed by staff and board members, allowing for a single vote on multiple items.
In the beginning of October, in a Board of Trustees meeting, Owens brought up the fact that he felt members in the Human Resources department were discriminating against him.
Owens said he started getting harassed at Citrus for two and a half years since the start of his employment.
“At my time of employment at Citrus College, I’ve been singly harassed by the Human Resources Department,” Owens said to the board. “I’ve had false allegations and repeated lies spread about me to and through the Human Resources Department.”
He explained that Human Resources tried to get other employees involved in the situation.
“They have asked employees of the district to lie about me,” Owens said. “And when the employees declined, Human Resources pushed them further, but if the individuals declined further, they were dismissed—they were terminated from employment.”
Owens did not name employees involved, but said there has been an ongoing investigation involving himself and Human Resources.
“The Human Resources Department had investigations about me, perpetrated lies about me in an effort to disparage my good name,” Owens said.
Owens said he believes Human Resources coerced those involved and hired an outside investigator.
“I believe Human Resources was removed from the investigation due to their obvious bias towards me,” Owens said. “But they were allowed to bring in outside legal counseling to direct the investigation from the sidelines which has made it impossible for me to get a fair say.
“During the so-called investigation, I’ve asked for staff interviews,” Owens said. “but these requests were ignored and I was denied the opportunity to have truth to come out in this situation.”
Even if Owens wanted help from other employees, he said the Human Resources department made it nearly impossible for him to do so.
“Somebody that had information contrary to HR’s desired outcome was never allowed to speak,” Owens said.
Before going in front of the board, Owens said he tried to turn to his superiors for help.
“I’ve been asking management to intervene for months now,” Owens said. “There’s been no serious review of the actions against me.”
Owens brought no evidence for the allegations. He said due to constant stress, his physical and mental health have deteriorated.
“I’ve lost 55 pounds since my employment here at Citrus College due to the continual intentional infliction emotional distress, the continue of harassment and personal attacks,” Owens said.
Owens ended his speech by pleading for the board’s help.
Director of Human Resources Robert Sammis said he could not comment about Owens’ accusations of his department.
“It’s a personnel matter,” Sammis said.
He said situations involving staff members or ongoing investigations are private.
Since the meeting, Owens has repeated requests for comment by phone and email. A colleague in his office said Owens is no longer with Citrus.
