On Thursday, Oct. 30, a criminal grand jury in El Dorado County issued an indictment against Kevin Loewen, the former general manager of the El Dorado Hills Community Services District (EDH CSD).
Key facts and timeline
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In February 2024, EDH CSD commissioned a confidential investigative report from the law-firm Van Dermyden Makus Law Corporation. That report concluded that Loewen engaged in outside business activity while serving as general manager, violated conflict-of-interest and outside‐employment policies, and failed to fully disclose his income sources.
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The indictment, according to reporting by the Sacramento Bee, charges Loewen with two counts of felony perjury and one count of participating in a government contract while holding a financial interest.
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The EDH CSD serves the unincorporated community of El Dorado Hills and surrounding areas in El Dorado County, responsible for services including water, parks, recreation, and garbage collection.
Stakeholders
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Loewen, who was general manager from 2016 until his employment agreement ended December 13, 2023.
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The Board of Directors of EDH CSD, tasked with governance and oversight of district management.
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Residents of El Dorado Hills and the broader county whose public district services may be affected, and whose trust in public-sector governance may be challenged.
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County law-enforcement and prosecution authorities engaged in the grand-jury process.
In the confidential investigative report, one board member stated regarding Loewen’s disclosures:
“It doesn’t seem ethical.”
For the local community of El Dorado Hills and El Dorado County, this indictment serves as a substantial development in oversight of public agencies. The EDH CSD oversees significant district functions for the community, and the allegations of perjury plus conflicts of interest raise questions about transparency and governance at the district level. The timing – after an internal investigation found policy violations – indicates that oversight structures are functioning, albeit after potential lapses.
What happens next
Loewen will now face criminal proceedings. As is standard, the indictment is an accusation and not a determination of guilt. The district and the County may also face scrutiny over how and when oversight mechanisms detected potential wrongdoing and how public trust is restored. Local residents may wish to follow updates from the District and County officials.
Local takeaway
If you live in El Dorado Hills or elsewhere in the county and use services provided by the EDH CSD, this case may impact future district governance, budget deliberations, and transparency efforts. Community members may wish to attend upcoming board meetings, monitor how the District responds to the indictment, and engage in oversight.
