L.A. supervisors to question probation chief about alleged relationship with aide
Jerry Powers, chief of the L.A. County Probation Department, is alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Above, he appears before the county Board of Supervisors in 2013.
Los Angeles County Probation Department Chief Jerry Powers said Monday that he had been summoned to a closed-door meeting with the Board of Supervisors to respond to allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
Supervisors and The Times received an anonymous letter stating that Powers had a romantic relationship with his top administrative deputy, Kym Renner. The letter contained copies of purported receipts for flowers and messages professing his love that were allegedly sent by Powers to Renner before and after her 2013 hiring.
Under county rules, personal relationships between supervisors and subordinates can create conflicts of interest and lead to disciplinary action.
Powers, 52, was hired in 2011 with a mandate to clean up hiring practices for the department of 6,200 employees. The agency had been faulted by federal authorities for misuse of force against juvenile detainees and poor internal controls on employee conduct.
Renner, 42, who previously held human resources positions for Stanislaus County and for the city of Redondo Beach, was hired to oversee personnel, labor relations, training and risk management for the Probation Department.
Powers declined Monday to comment on the allegations of a relationship. In an earlier interview with The Times, he denied ever being romantically involved with a subordinate.
Powers, who earns more than $378,000 in salary and benefits, said he was notified that supervisors planned to question him about the allegations during an executive session Tuesday.
Renner, who earns about $160,000 a year, denied a romantic relationship with Powers and said she never received the flowers or messages. She blamed the allegations on union officials who have frequently clashed with Powers over his hiring and disciplinary decisions.
Union officials acknowledged being dissatisfied with Powers’ leadership but denied any involvement in the allegations.
Renner said Powers told his executive team last week that he would retire — probably in January.
Powers denied that, adding: “I’m not going to retire with this out there.â€
Twitter: @gtherolf
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