Hollister
– Suspended Juvenile Hall Superintendent Tim Pierleoni resigned
Tuesday in the wake of an investigation into the San Benito County
Probation Department.
Hollister – Suspended Juvenile Hall Superintendent Tim Pierleoni resigned Tuesday in the wake of an investigation into the San Benito County Probation Department.
Pierleoni had worked for the department for 14 years before being placed on administrative leave in October. County officials have been silent on the reasons for Pierleoni’s suspension. Pierleoni’s attorney, Steven Cohn, previously told the Free Lance his client was suspended on a host of “unofficial charges” ranging from accessing pornography at work to extramarital affairs with Juvenile Hall personnel. Cohn denied his client had relationships with any Juvenile Hall personnel.
“Mr. Pierleoni has never been found liable for any conduct,” Cohn said Wednesday.
During his paid administrative leave of absence Pierleoni found another job, “a better offer,” Cohn said. Cohn said he could not comment on Pierleoni’s new job, but said he had made a career in law enforcement.
Pierleoni was placed on administrative leave at the same time as Chief Probation Officer Deborah Botts. Both positions have since been filled by interim employees. Shortly after Botts and Pierleoni, two other Juvenile Hall employees were placed on administrative leave, but will be reinstated. The two unnamed employees were cleared of any wrongdoing on Monday following an investigation by the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of sexual improprieties with inmates, according to county officials.
Manuel Gonzales, a former Juvenile Hall guard, filed an application for a late wrongful termination claim in mid-October. In the claim, Gonzales alleges misconduct among Juvenile Hall employees.
“Mr. Gonzales comes in an makes allegations against Mr. Pierleoni and others who have all been exonerated,” Cohn said.
The Sheriff’s Office investigation found that “all (of Gonzales’) charges are ‘unfounded,'” according to a press release Monday from County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson
On Monday, County Director of Internal Services Rich Inman said he could not comment on Botts’ future with the department. He said Botts was still on administrative leave.
“It’s just too bad that the county lost Tim,” Cohn said. “He’s a really good guy.”
Pierleoni could not be reached for comment as of press time on Wednesday.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 or [email protected].
