On March 10, the Woodside Town Council held its first public meeting since the release of Town Manager Jason Ledbetter’s whistleblower report in February. The shocking allegations in Ledbetter’s 14-page report singled out three of Woodside’s five council members and detailed incidents ranging from racist and sexist slurs to a pressure campaign to stall unpopular housing projects and improve the reelection chances of Mayor Brian Dombkowski and Vice Mayor Paul Goeld.
A number of town residents say they want to see a truly independent and transparent investigation to get to the truth.
At the council meeting, several people publicly called for Dombkowski, Goeld and Town Attorney Jean Savaree to recuse themselves from a thorough review of Ledbetter’s allegations. Some expressed feelings of confusion, disappointment and declining trust in the town.
The meeting opened up with a report from the town’s external counsel, Rick Bolanos from San Francisco-based law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore. Due to Savaree’s involvement in Ledbetter’s report, Woodside enlisted the services of a third-party attorney. The report alleges that Savaree dismissed Ledbetter’s complaints of perceived bias and harassment he allegedly experienced from Council member Jenn Wall.
Bolanos provided an overview of the events leading up to the release of Ledbetter’s report on Feb. 19, including that the council gave Ledbetter a $15,000 raise following his performance review in January and what a town press release...
The court heard even though he has been told there is no evidence his wife was ever attacked in any shape or form, the accused maintains 'he would do it again' and 'has no remorse' An entirely inno...