Former city auditor alleges retaliation, asks council to release HR report

Brad Newman, who identified himself as a former city auditor, used his two-minute public-comment period to tell the Ontario City Council he was retaliated against after reporting alleged financial wrongdoing and to request copies of the internal investigation materials.

"I was retaliated for doing my job in accordance with professional standards," Newman said, adding that he was placed on paid administrative leave five hours after notifying the internal audit committee that he had been ordered to violate professional audit standards. He referred to a set of city documents as exhibits 12, 13 and 14 and said he could not quote the chief human-resources investigator's report until he received a public-records copy.

Newman said the city auditor role includes managing the citywide ethics program and hotline and acting as an objective source of independent advice. He criticized the handling of a whistleblower report and named the chief HR investigator, saying, "Chief HR investigator Michael Hyder did an absolutely- horrible job." He also said a personnel investigation was described as involving the Ontario Police Department but told the council, "you know who wasn't involved in that investigation? The Ontario Police Department."

Councilmembers did not debate or vote on Newman’s request for records during the meeting; the public record indicates Newman sought release of investigative materials through public‑records channels. No staff response or planned follow-up by the council was recorded in the meeting transcript for this item.

The council proceeded with the rest of its agenda, including a public hearing and several routine approvals. Newman referenced exhibits and investigative claims during his remarks; the transcript shows no on-the-record rebuttal or immediate action by city staff or council members on his allegations.