Residents at Pasadena council meeting accuse mayor, staff of secrecy and misconduct

Several Pasadena residents used the City Council public-comment period on May 20 to accuse Mayor Jeff Wagner and other city employees of withholding records, engaging in improper conduct and press for greater transparency. The accusations ranged from alleged falsified ambulance response records to claims of improper campaign payments and interference by city staff in enforcement and investigations.

The comments matter because they put allegations about public-record handling, law-enforcement responses and campaign-related payments directly before the governing body and the community, even though no formal investigation or council action was announced at the meeting.

Wayne Dosefino, a resident who identified himself during public comment, told the council: "I'm disappointed in you and the city. For the last year and a half, your city has been fighting me in an investigation of a Acadian ambulance." Dosefino said the Attorney General had told him the records he sought were "mostly public," and he alleged the city previously told him it had no such records. He warned the council he would pursue records requests and litigation if the city continued to deny or withhold documents.

Robert Jeter, another commenter, said he was seeking communications among specific city employees and accused the mayor and a named associate of removing signs. Jeter said, "On April 23 at 06:27AM, I have video of Jeff Wagner and Rex Lindbergh stealing signs again and placing them in the bed of Jeff Wagner's gray truck." Jeter asked for city records between April 22 and April 30, 2025, and referenced his belief that body-worn camera footage had been muted in violation of policy.

Other speakers expressed similar concerns or pushed back. Dwight Puckett addressed the mayor directly and said, "You're a liar... You're not honorable," reflecting personal grievances dating to hiring decisions. Steven Alvarez told the council, "This is tyranny," and accused the mayor of silencing critics. By contrast, Michelle Parton praised Mayor Wagner's record, listing recent infrastructure and fiscal accomplishments and saying, "Bullying and harassing our mayor and our council men and women is not right at any time."

Council did not take formal action on any of the allegations during the meeting. No motions to open investigations, refer items to staff, or place items on a future agenda were recorded in the meeting minutes presented at the same session. Several speakers said they had made records requests to the city; the meeting transcript records calls for specific communications to be produced but does not show staff reports or responses to those requests during this meeting.

Speakers at the meeting included Mayor Jeff Wagner and multiple residents who spoke during the public-comment period. The allegations referenced several named city employees and council figures; the council meeting itself proceeded to routine business after public comment and did not announce follow-up steps tied to the allegations.