Paso Robles city manager files complaint against city councilman
Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis
$2 million claim makes accusations against Councilman Chris Bausch
– Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis has filed a formal complaint with the City of Paso Robles accusing Councilman Chris Bausch of numerous allegations.
The Paso Robles Daily News filed a public records request to review the document and received it Friday.
Click here to read the full text of Ty Lewis’s complaint.
Lewis submitted the claim for damages with the city on Aug. 14, seeking $2,275,000 in compensation for personal injury. On Sept. 26, the city sent Lewis a letter officially rejecting the claim. City governments routinely deny initial claims.
The claim outlines a series of allegations spanning from “before and on May 7, 2024 and continuing.” Lewis accuses Bausch of violating the city’s municipal code and harassment policies, defaming him, inflicting emotional distress, and creating a hostile work environment. The complaint states that Lewis suffered a medical incident during a May 7 city council meeting, which his doctor partially attributed to workplace stress.
The allegations led to serious health issues, the complaint states. Lewis is currently on a medical leave of absence, which began about two months ago.
Councilman Chris Bausch
According to the claim, Bausch allegedly:
- Spread rumors about Lewis attending “sex parties” and questioned his fitness to hold office
- Leaked closed session information to local media
- Harassed Lewis about his religious beliefs and perceived sexual orientation
- Threatened consequences if Lewis didn’t take certain actions
- Helped manufacture a false criminal complaint against Lewis
- Accused Lewis of receiving illegal kickbacks from a parking consultant
The claim describes a toxic work environment allegedly created by Bausch. Lewis states that other council members commented on Bausch’s apparent animosity towards him, with one of Bausch’s supporters allegedly posting on social media that they wished Lewis had died following his medical incident.
The claim cites seven specific grounds for the complaint:
- Violation of Paso Robles Municipal Code
- Violation of the city’s harassment, discrimination, and retaliation prevention policy
- Defamation and damage to reputation
- Intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress
- Harassment based on sexual orientation and religion
- Creation of a hostile work environment
- Abusive conduct, including bullying, as defined in California Government Code
Reached for comment, Lewis said, “I want the community to know I’m committed to transparency. As a law enforcement officer of over 25 years, I have fought to protect my community. As city manager, I cannot abandon that commitment. I am committed to the truth and will work with the council majority to let it shine wherever possible.”
Councilman Bausch declined to comment on the claim, saying, “no comment”. Bausch faced similar allegations while serving as a Paso Robles School Board trustee. Bausch was censured by the school board in 2017.
When reached for comment, Paso Robles Mayor John Hamon said, “My only comment is the city has received Mr. Lewis’ claim and has rejected it. Mr. Lewis is currently out on a job-protected leave and Chris Huot is serving in the position of interim city manager until these issues are resolved.”
