College of the Desert Vice President Jeff Baker has initiated a legal claim against the college, the school’s top leader and two board of trustee members, alleging they defamed him. He also claims the behavior of former trustee Aurora Wilson led to retaliation against him after he raised concerns about the college’s 2021 search that resulted in the hiring of Superintendent/President Martha Garcia.
Baker, through a government claim filed with COD on Nov. 16, says he has suffered substantial emotional distress and damage to his reputation as a higher education administrator. Baker has been on a mental health disability leave from the college since September, according to the document.
“The conditions Defendants created for Mr. Baker at work are so intolerable that a reasonable person would find no option other than to resign,” the document reads.
Baker, 52, served as the college's interim president/superintendent after the resignation of Joel Kinnamon in March 2021 until Garcia joined the school in August 2021.
Baker's attorney, Megan Beaman Jacinto, explained that filing a claim with the employer before going to court is a necessary step in certain cases against government entities. If COD and Baker do not reach a settlement soon, Beaman Jacinto said she will file a demand for a trial by jury...
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