San Luis Obispo County has settled with a former employee who accused the late District 3 Supervisor Adam Hill of workplace misconduct.
The county began investigating the allegations brought forth by Hill's legislative assistant in late July 2020, shortly before his death.
According to a redacted copy of a complaint released by the county, Hill's assistant said the two first met in October 2017 and entered into a sexual relationship before she started working in his office in June 2018.
She said she broke off the relationship in October 2019 but remained friends with Hill; however, she claimed that Hill continued to touch her inappropriately and that she feared retaliation in part for ending their relationship.
The redacted complaint was dated July 27. Hill was found dead at his home in Pismo Beach on August 6.
The San Luis Obispo County Coroner's Office has ruled his death a suicide.
Hill had been public in the months before his death about his struggle with depression. In early July, he announced he was seeking specialized treatment for depression and encouraged others who were struggling to reach out for help.
As part of the settlement, the former aide will receive six months salary totaling more than $39,000, plus any accumulated vacation time and six months worth of COBRA insurance payments.
Her last day of employment with the county was November 13, and the settlement states that she agrees to not apply for any future employment with the county.
Under the settlement, the county does not admit liability. "The settlement was made in order to conclude the matter in a timely and efficient manner and allow the parties to move forward," according to County Counsel Rita Neal.
Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to name an appointment to fill Hill's empty seat on the County Board of Supervisors.
