OAKLEY – An Oakley councilmember is facing censure and a call to resign for “bullying and retaliatory actions” against city staff after a third-party investigation found that he had allegedly engaged in such activity.
George Fuller, Ed.D, was reelected to the Oakley city council. (Courtesy of George Fuller)
On Tuesday, the City Council is set to potentially take the action against Councilmember George Fuller. The issue was initially raised in September when Mayor Shannon Shaw proposed it as a future agenda item.
Shaw, who authored the censure resolution, said Fuller’s recent conduct reflected a pattern of behavior directed not just toward staff but also toward other councilmembers, elected officials, and constituents.
“I think it’s important for people to understand why we’re doing this. The only reason this is coming about is specifically because of his actions toward staff,” Shaw told this news organization. “I want to make sure that I’m letting staff know that we in the city of Oakley will not tolerate this behavior at any level up to and including ourselves. We have to hold ourselves just as accountable as you would expect our city staff to hold themselves accountable.”
Fuller was first elected in 2020. He represents District 5, which covers some areas in Creekside Park, Dali Court, Emerson Ranch Park, and Riata Park. His term expires in November 2028.
When asked to comment on Tuesday’s vote and accusations against him, Fuller referred questions to his lawyer. As of press time Friday, no response was received from Fuller’s representative.
While the City Council cannot remove an elected official unless a criminal conviction or other legal disqualification occurs, it can take formal steps to express disapproval, according to the city.
Along with a call for his resignation in order “to protect the integrity of the City of Oakley and restore public confidence,” the resolution also encourages Fuller to participate in “professional development” on workplace harassment prevention and ethics.
Following allegations of bullying and retaliatory actions against staff, Oakley initiated an independent third-party investigation into the accusations.
While no details of that investigation have been made public as of Friday, including who conducted the investigation and at what cost, a staff report stated that it was completed and found that “Councilmember Fuller engaged in bullying and retaliatory conduct.”
“Such conduct is inconsistent with the duties of elected office, undermines the ability of staff to perform their work, erodes public trust in the City Council, and has required the City to devote significant time and financial resources to investigations and responses,” a staff report stated.
When questioned about the third-party investigation, Oakley Assistant City Manager Danielle Navarro said staff could not comment on the matter.
“Per the supplemental report, the item is one being brought forth by the Mayor, and staff is not commenting or providing input on the item,” said Navarro in an email to this news organization. “The details of the investigation are not disclosable.”
City Attorney Derek Cole noted that a censure is “purely a political statement about a member of an elected body by a majority of that body.”
“City administration and staff have not nor will not take any position on the proposed censure,” said Cole. “Consequently, they should not be asked to participate in any way when the item is considered.”
At Tuesday’s meeting and prior to a vote by the council, Fuller will be given the right to rebut the grounds for the censure proposed. The public will also be given the opportunity to comment and then Fuller will have additional time to speak.