An outside investigation into allegations of nepotism by the Hollister fire chief found the official did not commit any improprieties but may have made “policy-procedure” missteps, Mayor Ignacio Velazquez confirmed Wednesday.
Hollister officials received the commissioned investigative report Wednesday after placing Mike O’Connor on paid administrative leave about six weeks ago due to a then-undisclosed personnel matter in the department. City officials have confirmed the matter was an allegation of nepotism coming from the fire department staff regarding O’Connor’s shifting of hours in recent months away from overtime pay for full-time employees to more hours for reserve firefighters, the ranks of which include O’Connor’s son, Ryan.
Velazquez said the investigation cleared O’Connor of the allegations against him, but confirmed there were “policy-procedure issues that need to be addressed” coming out of the report.
“There was nothing – not a problem,” Velazquez said Wednesday afternoon.
The mayor said he and other officials met with O’Connor on Wednesday and that the fire chief would be returning to work Thursday. O’Connor did not immediately return a phone call.
Velazquez said the city would not immediately release specifics on the allegations or conclusions in the investigative report, but they would do so eventually.
“I’m just glad it’s over,” Velazquez said.
O’Connor had been named permanent fire chief in January after about eight months in the interim chief role. He has been with the department for more than 25 years. Capt. Leo Alvarez took on the acting chief role Oct. 22 when O’Connor was placed on paid leave.
Council members have been quiet on it but acknowledged they wanted O’Connor to reduce overtime costs, which came to $522,000 in 2013-14. City officials this fiscal year budgeted fire department overtime at $100,000 with the temporary staffing estimate at $190,000, according to Brett Miller, director of administrative services. Meanwhile, the city is in the midst of negotiations with the fire union. Those talks went to mediation.
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