Morgan Hill City Attorney Helene Leichter and the City of Morgan
Hill have cut a deal that puts an end to a saga that embroiled city
officials and cost the city more than $100,000.
Morgan Hill City Attorney Helene Leichter and the City of Morgan Hill have cut a deal that puts an end to a saga that embroiled city officials and cost the city more than $100,000.
The city will pay $40,000 – $25,000 to Leichter and $15,000 to her attorney – allow her to work from home two days a week through the end of the year and take an additional seven weeks of vacation.
The deal, announced Monday, resolves Leichter’s concerns over the way the city handled an accusation of adultery made by Councilwoman Hedy Chang, who had alleged that Leichter was having an affair with City Manager Ed Tewes, and that, as a result, Leichter’s professional judgment had been improperly influenced by Tewes, both of which Tewes and Leichter have strongly and repeatedly denied.
Chang’s allegations were loosely tied to her one-time attorney Bruce Tichinin hiring a private investigator to follow Tewes on an out-of-town trip, trying to discover proof of the affair. Tichinin said he did not hire the investigator on Chang’s behalf but on that of Howard Vierra, a client and business partner. The pair were disturbed because they said Leichter had changed her mind and opposed their proposal for a 4.5-acre development in Morgan Hill. The reason for Leichter’s change, Tichinin claimed, could have been the affair.
The settlement includes Leichter’s agreement not to sue the city over its handling of Chang’s accusation. It does allow Leichter to file a future complaint against Chang in her personal capacity and outside the course of her City Council position, according to the agreement.
In a press release issued Monday, Leichter made her first public comment on the issue since her original denial of the affair.
“I am deeply saddened by the spectacle this situation has created in our community,” Leichter said in the release. “I have worked hard to achieve my professional goals, upholding the highest legal ethics. I have also worked hard to build a loving and supportive family. These attacks have been tremendously hurtful both professionally and personally. I take great comfort in the public support offered by the citizens of the City of Morgan Hill, Mayor Kennedy, and Council members Larry Carr, Greg Sellers and Steve Tate. While these events may have sounded like a soap opera to some, the wounds from the unfounded accusations are real.”
Chang, who will not run for a third four-year term when hers expires in November, also has denied that the investigator was hired on her behalf but, during the course of a City Council investigation over who was following Tewes, rumors of the affair were found to have circulated widely. A Council-approved report, written by a subcommittee of Carr and Sellers, was released on July 2 setting off the citywide furor.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy said, in the press release, that he is confident the City has appropriately handled the effects of Chang’s accusations. He said he was under orders from the city’s attorney, Bill McClure of Jorgenson, Siegel, McClure & Flegel, to make no further comment about the settlement. In fact, the settlement orders that no further statement be made by any council member, city employee, official, representative or Leichter.
He did say Tuesday that Tewes has not threatened a similar suit. “There has been no similar claim or action with respect to the City Manager.”
Chang was unavailable Monday and could not be reached for comment. Leichter was on vacation and could not be reached.
