Palm Desert City Council accepts city manager’s resignation

4/14 Update: During a closed session late Thursday afternoon, the Palm Desert City Council unanimously decided to accept City Manager John Wohlmuth’s resignation.

Wohlmuth will be paid a severance, but the amount wasn’t given. The council came to this decision after talking to an LA-based law firm, which advised them that this might be the most cost-efficient way to settle the issue.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow, however in order to get healthy sometimes you need to swallow that bitter pill. That’s what this is about. How can we get healthy as a city as a community how can we move forward,” said Sabby Jonathan, Palm Desert Council Member.

4/12 Report: The City of Palm Desert has issued this response to our report concerning the sudden resignation of City Manager John Wohlmuth:

“The memo was an informational report from the City’s employment law attorney to the Council and as such, is confidential. When it comes to Mr. Wohlmuth’s departure as City Manager, the City is engaged in a process. That process deserves careful attention to the law and integrity on behalf of our residents and employees. As of now, it is scheduled to come to a conclusion on Thursday at our next City Council meeting. ” -David Herman, Palm Desert Public Information Officer

Original Story:

We’re following breaking news tonight into the retirement of long time Palm Desert City Manager John Wohlmuth.

We received a letter from a Los Angeles law firm addressed to the city council of Palm Desert and the city attorney by email Tuesday afternoon, it came from an anonymous source.

The letter reveals former City Manager John Wohlmuth reportedly took a picture of a city employee jumping nude in his pool last month.

Wohlmuth then allegedly showed the photo to other city employees who complained. The letter also accuses the former City Manager of laying off a city employee based on her age and gender.

We contacted Palm Desert Mayor Robert Spiegel. He told us he’s seen the letter and knows about the allegations. Mayor Spiegel says it’s a retirement. Despite these allegations contained in the letter, Wohlmuth will reportedly receive nearly 200-thousand dollars in severance.

The Mayor put the figure at 300-thousand dollars and called it contractually agreed upon. He also told us quote, “our city is pretty well run, it has been for years we’re going to get a new city manager and continue to grow.”