Newport Beach’s HR director sues the city

Barbara Salvini, the Human Resources Director of Newport Beach, has filed a lawsuit against City Manager Grace Leung and City Attorney Aaron Harp, alleging retaliation and attempts to conceal an audit that suggested policy violations by Leung and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles. The audit, stemming from a 2023 investigation, indicated possible manipulation of employee leave time, which could be “highly suggestive of an illegal gift of public funds,” according to Salvini’s attorneys. Despite the city’s claims that the allegations lack merit, Salvini asserts that her authority has been undermined, and she has faced retaliation, including being passed over for pay increases. She also criticized a noise report used for zoning amendments, claiming it contained inaccuracies and was prepared by a developer with vested interests. Salvini’s lawsuit describes the investigation into her claims as a “sham and designed to protect the city.”