The Riverside City Council has sent an official letter rebuking Susan Freeman, wife of the city’s chief executive, accusing her of harassing city employees through various forms of communication such as phone calls and social media. The letter, addressed to Susan and her husband, City Manager Mike Futrell, states, “Your pattern of communication has been disruptive at the workplace, caused significant distress to City staff, and serves no legitimate purpose,” asserting the severity of the accusations.
This letter is part of a larger collection of emails, texts, and letters that recently became public, shocking residents with allegations of toxic work environments and what some call “civic indecency” within City Hall. These disclosures have led to calls for Futrell’s removal and have sparked debate on free speech and the boundaries of workplace behavior.
“It’s a weird story,” said Riverside resident Jason Hunter, who made the letter public after a records request. “Can somebody’s family member be such a distraction that it impacts city productivity and liability?”
During a recent City Council meeting, officials discussed Futrell’s job performance without taking any formal action. Freeman denied the allegations, claiming the accusations in the letter were unfounded, asserting her right to express herself even if she had engaged in the alleged activities.
The controversy marks an unusual challenge for the couple, who came to Riverside with significant resumes. Futrell, a former U.S. Navy captain and Louisiana House representative, now independent, had arrived with Freeman, a communication specialist active in diversity and inclusion efforts.
Freeman’s public activities included hosting events and engaging in community work, prompting some to voice concerns. An anonymous email to City Council members criticized Freeman’s meetings with city staff, including Jennifer Lilley, then-Director of Community and Economic Development.
The complaint mentioned personal relationships overlapping with professional duties, potentially creating perceptions of undue influence and favoritism. Another concern flagged a Facebook post by Freeman connecting political issues to broader social concerns.
Freeman refuted this scrutiny, maintaining her posts reflected historical and factual viewpoints. Despite the controversy, she continued to engage online, responding to concerns about her outspoken criticism of political figures.
After the City Council’s rebuke, Freeman defended her actions in a detailed email to the council and Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. Her message criticized attempts to silence her as unconstitutional. Soon after, Freeman learned of an internal presentation casting her social media use in a negative light, further prompting her defense against the allegations.
The Council’s letter accused Freeman of implying involvement in city decision-making and pressured staff through her close association with the City Manager. Freeman denied soliciting donations in a coercive manner, explaining earlier instances of city staff financial interactions as voluntary and transparent interactions.
Freeman pursued a public records request seeking documentation backing the council’s allegations and explored who initiated the complaints against her and Lilley. Although she withdrew the request, numerous documents emerged, including anonymous letters critiquing her civic conduct.
From these documents, claims surfaced accusing Lilley of creating a hostile work atmosphere. The city has remained generally silent on these matters, providing minimal comment or rationale regarding personnel actions.
Freeman’s involvement with Hunter, a former city employee and current critic, escalated after a Raincross Gazette article quoted Hunter’s legal actions concerning a local tax ballot. Freeman defended the measure online, labeling Hunter as an adversarial figure in civic matters.
This online dispute broadened the situation, leading Hunter to uncover the letter to Freeman and make it public. Subsequently, City Manager Futrell’s prospective career opportunities suffered as Pasadena reversed potential employment following the letter’s release.
Freeman and Futrell speculate the letter negatively impacted his job prospects, illustrating the broader controversy’s reach and personal toll.
At a community meeting, Futrell recounted his experience, calling for a fair assessment based on comprehensive facts while highlighting the broader effects on his family. As of the latest updates, he continues to serve as Riverside’s city manager.