A former deputy director of public works in San Mateo County has filed a lawsuit against the county and several county managers and department directors. The suit alleges that plaintiff Kevin Sporer was wrongfully forced to resign in retaliation for his attempts to expose corruption within the county's government.
The case was initially filed in December in San Mateo County Superior Court, but was later removed to San Francisco federal court on Jan. 22.
Sporer accuses the defendants of creating a corrupt bureaucracy that punishes those who complain about politically connected employees lacking competency. He also alleges that the Human Resources department intentionally allowed unsubstantiated complaints intended to punish whistleblowers, while allegedly ignoring complaints by whistleblowers about retaliation.
In addition to the county government, the lawsuit also names other individual defendants, including Iliana Rodriguez, Deputy County Manager; Ann Stillman, Director of Public Works; and Jim Porter, former Director of Public Works.
Sporer is represented by attorney Stephen F. Henry.
Sporer is asking the court to order the county and other defendants to pay unspecified damages for lost wages and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees.