CARLSBAD — Veteran county administrative employee Michael Vu has filed a $5 million claim against San Diego County, alleging racial discrimination, backroom deals and retaliation after being passed over for the county’s top administrative position.
Vu, who previously served as the county registrar before he was promoted to assistant chief administrative officer in 2021, claims the San Diego County Board of Supervisors bypassed him to replace former CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer despite plans for him to succeed her in that role.
The Voice of San Diego first reported news of the filing.
The complaint filed on Oct. 2 names Supervisor Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer as directly involved in racially motivated and retaliatory efforts to deny him a promotion.
The filing states that Vargas opposed Vu’s appointment due to his race. According to the claim, Vargas said she wanted “a person of color” for the role — specifically “a Hispanic or African American” — and stated that “Asians don’t count, they have opportunities and education.”
“Helen Robbins-Meyer was flabbergasted, floored and upset by the statement,” the complaint reads.
Vu’s attorney, Chip Edleson, contends these comments, allegedly made between October 2022 and February 2023, violated California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and the state constitution’s prohibition against preferential treatment based on race.
The allegations aren’t the first time Vargas has been accused of racial insensitivities directed toward her Asian contemporaries. Vu’s claim follows a separate lawsuit filed last year by Jeff Liu, who alleged anti-Asian bias within Vargas’ office.
Liu claimed that a job offer to serve as policy director was rescinded after Vargas’ former chief of staff, Denice García, made anti-Asian slurs during a conversation with him. Liu further alleged that Vargas was aware of similar racist remarks made by her staff.
The county has previously denied Liu’s claims.
“I unequivocally deny making any statements that promote or condone discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin,” Vargas wrote in a statement to The Coast News. “The allegations made against me are not only false but totally contradict my values and record of public service. I believe in the importance of creating a workplace that values and respects all individuals from all backgrounds. I welcome a thorough investigation and remain committed to serving our community with integrity and dedication.”
The claim also accuses Lawson-Remer of proposing a quid pro quo arrangement, offering to back Vu’s promotion only if he agreed to install her political ally, Paul Worlie, as assistant CAO.
Worlie is the former chief of staff for disgraced former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.
Vu contends that in a private phone call outside of an official session, Lawson-Remer said that she “would vote for him” and would “ensure there are three votes” for him “if he agreed to make Paul Worlie the Assistant CAO,” according to the complaint.
The complaint alleges Lawson-Remer and Worlie sought this deal several times, “approaching both Michael Vu and Helen Robbins-Meyer proposing the quid pro quo.”
Vu asserts that his refusal to accept Lawon-Remer’s “illegal backroom deal” in violation of the Brown Act led to further retaliation and the decision to pass him over for the promotion.
Lawson-Remer, campaigning to retain her District 3 seat against former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, denied Vu’s claims.
“This is not the first disgruntled employee who has filed a lawsuit when they did not get hired for a job,” Lawson-Remer said in a statement to The Coast News. “County counsel is currently handling this lawsuit, and I stand by my vote for Sarah Aghassi to serve as interim Chief Administrative Officer and Ebony Shelton to serve as permanent Chief Administrative Officer.”
Vu, considered a top candidate for CAO, faced unexpected challenges in pursuing the role. After Robbins-Meyer announced her retirement, she stayed on for an additional year to assist Vu in his transition to CAO.
However, the Board of Supervisors opted for a national search and, amid internal changes — including Fletcher’s resignation — delayed making a permanent appointment until Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe took office.
Ultimately, the board chose Shelton, a longtime county official and chief financial officer, as the new CAO. Shelton, who is Black and Salvadoran, assumed the role in June. The following month, Shelton demoted Vu to a deputy CAO position overseeing the elections office, resulting in an $85,000 pay cut.
Edleson claims that Shelton informed Vu that he could remain in this reduced role for up to 90 days, after which his employment would end.
“In the near future, Michael Vu will lose all his compensation and benefits for an extended period while he searches for substantially similar replacement employment,” Edleson wrote in the claim.
The county has 45 days to investigate Vu’s claim and decide whether to offer a settlement or deny it.
1 comment
The Dastardly Duo.
Both need to be replaced
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