El Dorado County (June 30, 2024) – In a surprising turn of events, former El Dorado Hills Community Services District (EDHCSD) General Manager Kevin Loewen has decided not to pursue legal action against his former employer. Loewen had previously threatened to sue to prevent the public release of an independent investigation into his activities while he was employed with the district.
According to a news release issued on June 28 by Loewen’s attorney, Michael S. Biggs, the former general manager will no longer seek to block the release of the report. “There are exceptions to disclosure to third parties under the California Public Records Act such as personal confidential information. But after assessment of (contents) of the investigation report there is no confidential personal information,” the release stated.
Loewen’s decision marks a significant reversal from his earlier stance. Last fall, the EDHCSD board initiated an investigation into Loewen’s activities following public concerns about his consulting business and his professional relationship with consulting firm DTA, which had a contract with the district. The board opted to hire an independent law firm to conduct the investigation, separate from the district’s legal counsel.
The investigation report was submitted to the EDHCSD in March 2024, but has not yet been made public. In May, the district received a letter from Biggs Law Office, stating Loewen’s intention to file a legal action to keep the report confidential. This prompted a strong response from the EDHCSD board, with President Noelle Mattock announcing the board’s intention to fight any such lawsuit.
In his statement to Village Life, Biggs revealed that Loewen had overlooked a clause in his contract that prohibited outside consulting. “Mr. Loewen resigned from his position without fighting the allegations as it was the right thing to do, avoiding needless escalation into controversy,” Biggs wrote. He also indicated that Loewen’s supervisors were aware of and had ratified his outside consulting activities.
Loewen’s consulting business, Synergy Behavioral Systems, generated between $10,000 and $100,000 annually, according to reports filed with the El Dorado County Elections Department in 2021 and 2022. Information shared with Village Life suggests that EDHCSD directors had supported his consulting endeavors via email, though no formal action was taken.
The controversy deepened in July 2023, when resident Robert Williams asked the board to clarify if Loewen’s employment contract permitted outside consulting. LLAD Advisory Committee member Steve Gutierrez further fueled the probe by resigning and revealing that Loewen had worked for DTA while it had a contract with the district, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.
Loewen, who served as general manager since January 2017 and worked for the district since February 2014, resigned in December 2023 without explanation. In his recent statement, Loewen offered an apology for his actions. “Mr. Loewen submits a sincere apology for any missteps on his part in pursuing expanded employment and experience,” the statement concluded. “Mr. Loewen believes that his efforts while working for the district put forth much benefit to the community… and again Mr. Loewen apologizes for any missteps, inconveniences, or otherwise discomfort that this has resulted in.”
The public awaits the release of the investigation report, which is expected to shed further light on the events that led to Loewen’s resignation.
