Paso Robles city manager alleges plot to oust him from office
Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis. He is currently on a medical leave of absence.
Accused parties largely deny any wrongdoing, framing their actions as legitimate criticisms of a public official
– Ty Lewis, the city manager of Paso Robles, has filed a $2.275 million complaint against the city, alleging a coordinated effort to damage his reputation and force him from his position. Lewis claims Councilman Chris Bausch and Cal Coast News reporter Karen Velie are leading an effort to spread false rumors and defamatory allegations about him.
These new allegations surfaced in a letter from Lewis to the city’s attorneys, dated Aug. 8. The San Luis Obispo Tribune first reported the story yesterday. The Paso Robles Daily News filed a public records request with the city to obtain the letter. Here it is in full:
Allegations of a coordinated smear campaign
The new controversy began on Aug. 7 when Lewis received a message from local business owners. The city redacted their names from the letter. The Paso Robles Daily News interviewed the couple on background Friday afternoon.
The couple expressed concerns about a plot against Lewis. They said Bausch and Velie were orchestrating a plan to fabricate lies, including rumors that he attended “sex parties” and had an affair with Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce President Gina Fitzpatrick, Lewis said in the letter.
Lewis also alleges that Bausch made derogatory comments about his religious upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness and criticized him for not bowing his head during prayers at meetings.
Lewis said Bausch never directly told him he wanted him removed, but allegedly threatened him with negative publicity through articles written by Velie if he did not comply with certain demands. “Velie told them that they really don’t have any ‘dirt’ on me, but it is their goal to get me to leave my job as city manager,” Lewis said in the letter.
Details from the [redacted] business owners
The two business owners corroborated Lewis’s claims. They said that Velie began frequenting their establishment about a year and a half ago, and at least once accompanied by Glenn O’Hagan, a resident with a longstanding grievance against Lewis.
The couple alleges that Velie and O’Hagan tried to involve them in spreading negative information about Lewis, offering free advertising on Cal Coast News and Velie’s radio show in return.
The business owners alleged instances where Velie admitted to fabricating stories about Lewis. “She [Velie] said, ‘Don’t tell nobody, but I don’t have anything. But I’m gonna make his life miserable,” the wife said.
The business owners also said O’Hagan planned to perform a citizen’s arrest on Lewis at the Aug. 20 city council meeting. O’Hagan presented a document accusing Lewis of various unsubstantiated charges related to his grievances, the local business owners said. The document appears to be AI-generated and contains the word “ChatGPT.”
Impact on Lewis and his decision to take medical leave
The alleged campaign has taken a personal toll on Lewis and his family. “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make… bringing something forward that I know is going to impact the community for years to come,” he said. Concerned about his well-being and the escalating situation, Lewis decided to take medical leave on the advice of his doctor.
Lewis maintains that his actions are motivated by a desire to serve the community and bring misconduct to light. “From my perspective, it’s all about doing what’s right for the community,” he said.
“I’ve placed my reputation and over two decades of service on the line,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot. I’ve been shot at, assaulted, lied to, witnessed my colleagues shot and killed, seen horrible human acts as a law enforcement officer. Trust me I have thick skin.”
“I will not stand for unethical, illegal, or immoral behavior. Our community deserves better,” Lewis said.
Ty Lewis defends his actions in an Oct. 8 social media post.
Lewis, who has been with the city since 2002 and served as police chief before becoming city manager in 2021, hopes that an ongoing investigation will uncover the truth.
Responses from the accused parties
Councilman Chris Bausch
Councilman Chris Bausch declined to comment directly on the allegations. In a letter to the Paso Robles Daily News published Monday, Bausch said he wishes to refrain from public comment until all facts are known. “In due course, all facts will come to light,” he wrote.
Bausch’s attorney Robert J. Gundert added, “We are not inclined to litigate matters such as this in the press. Mr. Lewis’ claims are better explored and dealt with in formal proceedings, where Mr. Lewis and any witness he cares to present are under oath.”
Karen Velie of Cal Coast News
Reached for comment, Karen Velie of Cal Coast News said, “His claim that I am telling others I am making up rumors to harm him is ridiculous,” Velie said. She said O’Hagan does not work for her. He occasionally submits local news photos, she said.
“I don’t want to get into a big thing with this,” she said. “I don’t want to play with every little accusation. I am hoping this all gets cleaned up in the election.” Several city council seats are up for election on Nov. 5.
“As for Lewis’s claims that there are members of the public who do not support him and would like to see him replaced, in our republic citizens have a right to criticize public officials and to seek changes in leadership,” she said. Velie provided her version of the story on Cal Coast News.
Daniel Blackburn, a retired reporter and co-founder of Cal Coast News, came to Velie’s defense. “Karen does not make stuff up,” he said. “She does not talk to other people about making stuff up. I’ve been a reporter for 60 years and I’ve known only very few reporters who were as dogged and principled as she is.”
Glenn O’Hagan
O’Hagan, who was accused of planning the citizen’s arrest, denied the existence of a conspiracy. He said “No comment,” before adding that Lewis is “a total dirtbag,” the Tribune reported. O’Hagan launched an unsuccessful bid to get on the ballot and run for city council.
City council candidate Linda George
Linda George, a city council candidate named in the letter, denied participating in a plot but acknowledged her dissatisfaction with Lewis’s leadership. George explained the personal nature of her grievance with Lewis in a letter addressed to the city council. She said she believes Lewis is responsible for the arrest and conviction of her son, and for failing to properly investigate the incident.
“Do we all agree that Ty is a bad actor and needs to go? Absolutely. We all agree,” she told the Tribune. “However, I keep saying this, I don’t collude, I don’t collide, I don’t cahoot, I don’t caboodle, and I certainly don’t cuddle.”
City council candidate Michael Rivera
Michael Rivera, another city council candidate, dismissed Lewis’s allegations as unfounded. “It’s time to end the drama and get to work, therefore I respectfully decline to comment on the unfounded conspiracy theories contained in Mr. Lewis’ letter,” he said.
“If Mr Lewis has evidence of a conspiracy against him, let him provide it in a court of law rather than in the online press,” Rivera said. “This is a direct assault on my reputation and I categorically deny any wrongdoing. I am asking for Mr Lewis to cease and desist with these unfounded charges.” He added, “I would like to wish Mr. Lewis good health and a happy retirement if that is what he chooses, and I thank him for his service.”
Republican Party Chairman Gary Lehrer
District 1 Republican Party Chairman Gary Lehrer, mentioned in the letter, said his actions have been “open and transparent.” He acknowledged there is a group of “like-minded people” who meet from time to time to share common concerns.
“There was never any conspiracy,” Lehrer tells the Paso Robles Daily News. “I had no knowledge of a citizen’s arrest. If I did I would have told Glenn not to do it,” Lehrer said. “Frankly it is very difficult to respond when so much is redacted.”
“There is nothing worth responding to,” Lehrer later added. “I do not wish to contribute to the toxicity or controversy by airing this out in public. Like I have stated previously, if he feels he has a case let him pursue it in a court of law. A court provides high standards of evidence, true legal proceedings and a judge who knows what he is doing. I have submitted what I know already to the proper channels. I appreciate the Paso Robles Daily News commitment to high journalistic standards and the ability to respond. I am anxious to see a satisfactory conclusion to this so we can focus on really important issues. ”
Mayor and city response
Mayor John Hamon addressed the situation in a letter published in the Paso Robles Daily News, condemning “nefarious” tactics allegedly used to undermine Lewis. He referred to the situation as a “conspiracy” but did not name specific individuals.
The city has hired attorney Valentina Reiner to investigate Lewis’s complaint. The city council is expected to discuss the situation behind closed doors on Nov. 5.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include additional comment from Gary Lehrer.
– Story by Publisher Scott David Brennan
Editor’s note: This story has been updated for clarity.
From the sublime to the ridiculous!! This is Paso Robles, not Peyton Place!
Stop acting like little, spoiled brats and get on with the issues that really matter to the taxpayers of this city.
I can be counted amongst those who believe Lewis is unqualified, but what I have observed, read, and talked to others about does not justify any of these behaviors.
Both need to get down off high ‘high horses’ and get back to work for this city.
From the sublime to the ridiculous!! This is Paso Robles, not Peyton Place!
Stop acting like little, spoiled brats and get on with the issues that really matter to the taxpayers of this city.
I can be counted amongst those who believe Lewis is unqualified, but what I have observed, read, and talked to others about does not justify any of these behaviors.
Both need to get down off high ‘high horses’ and get back to work for this city.