An internal complaint filed against Planning and Zoning Director Russell Naranjo has been dropped following a city investigation into the matter, according to interim city manager Joe Duran. Naranjo was accused of slapping a fellow employee on the bottom May 8. The unidentified female city employee filed a harassment report on May 21 detailing how Naranjo allegedly slapped her on the “left butt cheek” near the door of the city council chambers.
The alleged victim told E911 operators of the incident May 20 and attributed the gap of time between the alleged incident and her call to embarrassment over the issue. According to Public Safety Director Eric Garcia, the city employee intended to file the charges with the Espanola Police Department but decided to file them at the Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office instead. At press time, Sheriff’s spokesman Jake Arnold could not confirm whether the city employee had filed charges with the office or not.
Duran said the city employee informed him June 10 of Naranjo’s alleged action and her intent to file suit against Naranjo. The city opened an investigation. Then, Duran said, the employee brought in a witness—who refuted the employee’s claims and signed an affidavit stating Naranjo wasn’t involved in any harassment. Because of the affidavit, he said, the city found the employee’s claims unsubstantiated. Both Naranjo and the employee still work for the city, with each working during different hours to avoid direct contact.
Duran could not provide any documentation of the investigation citing personnel reasons. He reiterated that the case is closed. He is unaware if the city employee is still intending to file a civil suit, he said.
“Administratively, we’ve taken care of what we needed to take care of,” Duran said.