The vote to fire South Pasadena Mayor Dan Calabria was tabled Monday morning, as commissioners voted instead to come up with a plan for mediation.
“We had to get his attention. This is the way to do it,” said Vice Mayor Arthur Penny.
The city hired an independent lawyer to investigate allegations that Calabria mistreated staff members, particularly City Clerk Carly Lewis.
“Our City Clerk brought to our attention that she felt she was being harassed and discriminated against by the mayor,” Penny said. “She said the mayor called her in a very irrational state and began yelling at her over the phone.”
The resulting report found Calabria to be “condescending, sarcastic, belligerent and unnecessarily combative.”
Calabria’s private attorney said the report is not legal grounds for termination. For his part, Calabria maintains he did nothing wrong.
“I have nothing to hide. It’s as simple as that,” Calabria said.
Commissioners said they feared no action on their part would lead to a lawsuit. Still, not all members were ready to vote Calabria out.
“I am extremely uncomfortable with the possibility of throwing an elected official out of office,” said Commissioner Max Elson.
Instead, commissioners tabled the motion and agreed to have City Attorney David Ottinger meet with Calabria’s attorney, to come up with an alternative plan for mediation.
Once that plan is drawn up, commissioners will vote on it. A date for that has yet to be set.