"“On Friday evening, I learned about certain degrading and unprofessional communications involving Mr. Johnson,” Lee said in a statement Sunday. “We promptly conducted our own investigation and verified these communications, which are wholly incompatible with the values of this administration and those of the people of Oakland. Under my watch, I will not tolerate transgressions of this nature.”"
"In the spring of 2024, Duffey texted his boss that a high-ranking female city official was “tough.” “Got the old player mesmerized,” he wrote. “I'm telling you, you have to sit next to her,” Johnson responded, about his employee. “I have to force myself to only look in her eyes. She had me a little giddy yesterday when we had to take pics.”"
"On another occasion, Johnson texted Duffey that another female staffer was his “kryptonite.” “My goodness, [she] has a helluva walk,” he wrote. The text messages show Johnson and Duffey describing their reaction to women’s bodies on more than one occasion, and calling a high-up female colleague “emotional,” during exchanges in 2024."
Jestin Johnson resigned as Oakland city administrator, and Assistant City Administrator Betsy Lake will temporarily take over. Mayor Barbara Lee announced the resignation after learning about degrading and unprofessional communications involving Johnson. Lee said an investigation verified the communications and stated they were incompatible with the administration’s values and the people of Oakland. Text messages released through the city’s public records portal show Johnson and his lieutenant Harold Duffey using crass language about female employees and colleagues. The messages include comments about women’s bodies, describing a high-ranking female colleague as “emotional,” and calling another staffer “kryptonite.” The messages also include remarks about forcing himself to look at a woman’s eyes and being “giddy” during photo moments.
Read at The Oaklandside
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