OAKLEY — Despite a formal vote to censure and calls to resign over allegations of “bullying and retaliatory actions” against city staff, Oakley Councilmember George Fuller has vowed not to step down.
With a 4-1 vote by the City Council on Tuesday, Fuller called the formal censure brought by Mayor Shannon Shaw a “badge of honor,” alleging it was the “third attempt” by the Oakley City Council to “silence him.”
“The action signifies my courage, honor, integrity, transparency, and commitment to the people of the city of Oakley when faced with an oppressive environment,” Fuller said in a statement Tuesday.
George Fuller, Ed.D, was reelected to the Oakley city council in 2024. (Courtesy of George Fuller)While no specific details have been released regarding the allegations made against Fuller, the censure noted that members of the City Council are “bound” by state law, Oakley’s Code of Conduct, and ethical obligations to treat city staff, residents, and fellow officials with “respect, fairness, and professionalism.”
It also called on Fuller to immediately resign to “protect the integrity of the city,” adding that the community will “not tolerate” bullying, retaliation, or abusive behavior at any level. The resolution also encouraged Fuller to participate in “professional development” on workplace harassment prevention and ethics.
Following allegations of bullying and retaliatory action against staff, Oakley had initiated an independent third-party investigation into the accusations. The investigation reportedly sustained findings against Fuller.
The councilmember rejected those findings and criticized City Attorney Derek Cole and fellow councilmembers for refusing to allow him to read the investigation report – a report that the city has yet to release to the public or provide specific information about.
“I am supposed to trust that my colleagues would not mislead me as to the results. No, I do not trust their summation of the report alone,” said Fuller. “However, they are basing the censure on the content of the report, or what they say are the contents of the report. Yet, they refuse to allow me to read the report.”
This news organization has requested details related to the city’s investigation, including the third-party report and related costs.
As of press time Wednesday, Oakley Assistant City Manager Danielle Navarro said the report would not be released.
“The report is associated with a personal matter and will not be released,” said Navarro in an email to this news organization. “The total cost of the investigation is currently at $32,000, and the investigative firm was Stallard Panebianco P.C.”
Fuller admitted he has had various disagreements with Oakley City Manager Joshua McMurray, fellow councilmembers, and other elected officials. He said a “significant catalyst for acrimony” with McMurray was when Shaw was appointed as vice mayor in 2023.
“I was aware that the city manager, Joshua McMurray, knew that I would not receive the vice mayor position before the meeting,” said Fuller. “I asked him why he had not warned me of the fiasco, and he said he could not because of the Brown Act. I disagreed with that assessment.”
Fuller also claims that he encountered “a barrage of ableist and ageist remarks” from City Council colleagues and city officials since he was first elected in 2020.
Councilmember Anissa Williams called the censure a “moral” act.
“It is this council saying enough, enough of the lies, enough of the bullying, enough of the chaos that keeps good people afraid to speak up or even want to come to work,” said Williams. “Oakley deserves better. Our staff deserves better, and this council deserves to be able to do its work without being dragged through endless theatrics and conspiracy theories. I take no joy in saying this, but silence would make us complicit.”
Vice Mayor Hugh Henderson said councilmembers have a duty to protect city employees and the city from further liabilities and litigation.
Councilmember Aaron Meadows called Fuller a “disgrace” to the city.
Shaw said Fuller’s “repeated attacks” on local services, clubs, community organizations, vendors, and contractors who do business within the city “erodes trust, harms partnerships, and creates unnecessary division” within the City Council and community.
“I am formally calling upon councilmember Fuller to resign from office,” said Shaw. “It is my sincere hope that you, Councilmember Fuller, reflect on the harm that this conduct has caused to the staff, to the council and to the public trust, and take the responsible step of stepping down so that we can begin to heal and move forward.”
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