A former San Luis Obispo employee has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city accusing it and top city officials of overcharging building permit fees and keeping a dangerous building open to public businesses for six months beyond what was safe.
The employee also alleged the city and officials retaliated against him for reporting these violations, through a “sustained campaign to silence, punish and ultimately force (him) out,” according to a complaint filed June 12.
Michael Loew was SLO’s deputy director of community development and chief building official from March 2022 until he resigned one year ago on June 19, 2025. The position remains vacant, according to the city’s building and safety division website.
His duties included enforcing state and local building codes, managing the city’s fee-supported regulatory programs and condemning unsafe buildings — duties “the law made mandatory,” Loew’s lawyer David Secrest told The Tribune in an emailed statement.
In his whistleblower lawsuit, however, Loew alleged that “he was directed by city leadership not to comply” with his stated responsibilities.
The lawsuit names city manager Whitney McDonald, assistant city manager Scott Collins, director of community development Timothea Tway (Loew’s former direct supervisor) and city attorney Christine Dietrick.
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