Former Ontario auditor alleges city covered up internal complaint, seeks release of investigator’s report

Brad Newman, who identified himself as the city’s former auditor, publicly urged the Ontario City Council to release what he called exhibit 14 — a completed investigative report by the city’s chief HR investigator, Michael Hyder — and said the document shows the city ‘‘does not investigate allegations of wrongdoing’’.

"This document very clearly shows that the city of Ontario does not investigate allegations of wrongdoing. We cover them up here," Newman said, alleging the report demonstrates a failure to research and investigate anonymous whistleblower allegations of financial wrongdoing.

Newman told the council he was ordered by a supervisor (identified in his remarks as Jordan Vilwalk) to violate professional audit standards and that, after notifying the internal audit committee, he was placed on paid administrative leave within hours. He said he intends to read portions of the internal report at the next council meeting and called the existing documents ‘‘inappropriate’’ for the city’s standard of oversight.

There was no substantive response during public comment from city officials at the dais about Newman’s specific allegations or a commitment to release the report during the meeting. The record shows the city’s HR investigator named in Newman’s remarks, Michael Hyder, remains employed with the city; Newman asked the council to make exhibit 14 public.

What happens next: Newman said he will seek to present the report at the next council meeting. Council members and staff did not announce a date or process at the Sept. 3 meeting for disclosing or reviewing exhibit 14 in open session.