No Decision Made on Colton’s City Manager Investigation

At Monday evening’s Colton Council Special Meeting, City Attorney Cristina Talley presented her findings to the council in open session on her investigation of Stephen Compton’s (City Manager) possible misuse of power. Without Compton being in attendance, Talley proceeded by informing the council that Compton exceeded his spending authority in hiring Benjamin Miller, an audit accountant, for an amount over the $25,000 limit and he possibly violated the city’s hiring procedures without asking for council action. The suspension of Compton from his city manager position began two days after the June 3 council meeting, when the council told Compton he was being placed on administrative leave and had him escorted from City Hall by a plain clothes police officer. This action stemmed from Compton’s investigation into the suspected financial irregularities in the public works division of the city, which was pointed out during an audit being performed on its operations. The audit was commissioned after Compton’s review of the public works department’s operations and his findings of sloppy bookkeeping and possible misappropriation of city resources and funds within the division. Just recently, a group of Colton residents have signed a letter of complaint and forwarded it to the city council through the acting City Manager Steve Ward and City Attorney Talley asking for the investigation of possible unauthorized street improvements and wall repairs in two different council wards. This action seems to tie into the works previously identified by Compton in his oversight findings. Compton has maintained his innocence in this investigation, and has indicated that he is awaiting his chance to explain the reasons behind his findings and why he doesn’t feel he has violated any laws or procedures in the performance of his role as city manager. At Monday’s meeting, the city attorney advised the council that they couldn’t take any action either that evening or at the regularly scheduled city council meeting on Tuesday evening on Mr. Compton’s fate. Tally said, “I will provide a written report of my findings to the council members on Thursday, for their review.” Final decision of Compton’s retention as city manager is still forthcoming.