Deanna Santana, the former city manager of Santa Clara, is suing her ex-employer alleging retaliation and harassment from officials, including the San Francisco 49ers. The lawsuit comes after her earlier claim in late 2023. Santana served as city manager from 2017 until her ousting in 2022, a time marked by exemplary performance and pay raises. Tensions arose as she increased oversight of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, affecting her relationship with the 49ers. Despite ongoing settlement negotiations, the city has yet to be formally served with the lawsuit.
The circumstances of what happened to Ms. Santana are disturbing and, yet all too familiar - a competent and celebrated city manager was retaliated and discriminated against, harassed, threatened and ultimately relieved of her duties for upholding the law.
The position took a professional toll on Santana when she implemented council directives that increased oversight of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, which placed her at odds with the professional sports team that served as the primary tenant of Levi's Stadium: the San Francisco 49ers.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court last week, follows her initial claim back in late 2023.
Santana was hired as the interim city manager of Milpitas in April with a base annual salary of $379,000.
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