LATHROP- Former LMFD Chief Gene Neely is being investigated by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office for his actions after a vote was taken at a Lathrop city council last Monday.
Allegedly Mr. Neely was upset with Lathrop Councilwoman Minnie Diallo for voting “No” to appoint the Former Fire Chief to a committee (Measure C) that would oversee a special public safety tax.
According to eye witness accounts, Mr. Neely and his wife approached the councilwoman and began to aggressively berate and verbally assault Councilwoman Diallo to the point where onlookers felt that the councilwoman’s safety was in jeopardy.
Sources also revealed that Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal was so concerned for the safety and well-being of his council colleague that he followed councilmember Diallo all the way home to make sure she was ok.
Earlier this year Gene Neely was placed on administrative leave from the Fire District pending the outcome of claims made against him. Although the claims were never made public, after two months from the time the claims were made, Neely would leave his post as the Fire Chief after entering into a settlement agreement with the Lathrop Manteca Fire District. The settlement referred to his prior administrative leave, “the outcome of which could have resulted in initiation of disciplinary proceedings, by the district up to and including termination.”
The following screenshot of a text message sent out by City Manager Salvatore to City Councilmembers corroborates the statements made by witnesses.
Gene Neely currently sits on the River Island School Board.
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