Parks Worker Wins Hearing on Promotion
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A Los Angeles County hearing officer--reviewing an employee’s complaint that he lost a promotion to a “crony” of a Parks and Recreation Department official--has found that the deparment violated Civil Service rules.
William de la Garza, a 29-year county employee, contended that Henry Roman, a friend of a department official, was appointed to a regional director’s job that de la Garza said had been promised to him. The hearing officer will recommend that de la Garza be placed in the position on a temporary basis.
Rees Lloyd, attorney for de la Garza, contended Roman was hired “under the guise of a training assignment,” and had less experience in parks matters than de la Garza.
John Huerta, a lawyer for the county, said Roman was a friend of a department official but denied that was a factor in his appointment.
Roman apparently was interviewed for the job at a French restaurant. Asked about that, Huerta said, “The county did not pick up the bill.”
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