Story perspectives

Valley Water CEO Resigns Amid Harassment Investigation, Receives $512K Payout

3/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rick Callender, Valley Water's CEO and the agency's first African-American leader since 2020, received a $512,886 payout just before resigning amid a sexual harassment investigation.
The investigation found violations of Valley Water's Anti-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, including inappropriate messages about coworkers.
Director Rebecca Eisenberg opposed the board's decision to retain him, citing contract violations.
Callender denied the allegations, citing that he previously faced similar accusations in 2008.

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Story summary

Rick Callender, Valley Water's CEO and the agency's first African-American leader since 2020, received a $512,886 payout just before resigning amid a sexual harassment investigation.
The investigation found violations of Valley Water's Anti-Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, including inappropriate messages about coworkers.
Director Rebecca Eisenberg opposed the board's decision to retain him, citing contract violations.
Callender denied the allegations, citing that he previously faced similar accusations in 2008.