Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis is facing an assault allegation from former mayoral candidate Michael Rivera, who claims that Lewis physically removed him from a meeting causing damage to his shoulder.
“I am a 70-year-old man and do not tolerate being physically abused by a much younger person like Mr. Lewis or anyone for that matter,” Rivera said in his statement. “It is outrageous that the city manager, who is a former police chief, would lay hands on a citizen!”
City Attorney Elizabeth Hull told New Times that as far as the city understood it, an incident did occur in some form during the Nov. 6 Homeless Strategic Plan Working Group meeting. It’s currently being investigated by both the city and the SLO County Sheriff’s Office, so the city manager’s office wasn’t able to comment on the issue.
The meeting had around 35 stakeholders there to discuss the final draft of a plan for addressing homelessness in the city, Hull said.
“The working group has held a series of working meetings and a series of public meetings where the general public was specifically invited to provide input,” Hull said. “[But] the meeting on Nov. 6 was a working meeting of the working group to review the final draft of the plan.”
In his public statement to both the city and general public, Rivera said that he was attending the Nov. 6 meeting on behalf of one of the committee members, Ron Cuff.
In that same statement, Rivera said that he was aware of several email exchanges in October between Cuff, Lewis, and Paso Robles Director of Community Services Angelica Fortin that discussed Cuff’s absence and Rivera attending as the replacement. Rivera shared the emails with New Times.
On Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. Fortin reached out to Cuff to inform him of the upcoming committee meeting. In response, Cuff told Fortin that he wouldn’t be unable to attend the meeting as he was out of town. Cuff then reached out to Rivera and asked if he could attend the meeting on his behalf, and Rivera asked whether that would be allowed.
Cuff told Rivera that it would be unlikely they would throw him out since they had allowed “uninvited” people before, and he would send him specifically as his representative with notes on the plan.
After Rivera agreed, Cuff notified Fortin later that evening that Rivera would be attending in his stead. Fortin then notified City Manager Ty Lewis that this would be occurring.
Lewis sent Cuff an email, saying that it wouldn’t be appropriate for Rivera to be Cuff’s representative because Cuff was an established member of an official ad hoc committee and that the council hadn’t allowed for substitutes as far as he was aware.
“Bringing an outside alternate community member … has the potential to serve as a distraction as this person is likely not up to speed on conversations by the planning team,” Lewis wrote in his email to Cuff. “Mr. Rivera will have an opportunity to view and provide feedback directly to the council along with the rest of the public when this matter is brought to … open session.”
Lewis also said that he had copied the entire City Council on the email to make sure they were aware of Cuff’s request and to avoid any Brown Act concerns.
On Nov. 3, Cuff and Rivera discussed the matter via email again, deciding to move forward with the plan after Cuff forwarded Lewis’ email to Rivera, who responded, “I’ll still be there if you want to be. I’m willing and able.”
Rivera told New Times on Nov. 15 that the meeting confrontation was a surprise he did not instigate.
In Rivera’s statement, he acknowledges that Fortin—upon seeing him show up at the meeting—asked him what he was doing there and said that he was not supposed to be there. She then left the room and shortly thereafter, Rivera had the alleged confrontation with Lewis.
Rivera claimed in his statement that Lewis came up to him, made a statement similar to Fortin’s, grabbed Rivera by the shoulder, squeezed it “very hard,” and slapped him “aggressively” in the same spot. If Lewis had simply asked him to leave, Rivera said, there would have been no issue.
“I just got back from the chiropractor dealing with what happened to my body,” Rivera said to New Times. “He is a jujitsu expert; he’s learned grappling moves. I am just a 70-year-old man.” Δ
This article appears in Holiday Guide 2023.
Why show up when you have been told that you are not welcomed. He’s 70 and should know better. I am also doubting that any assault took place. The former Police Chief knows how to obtain compliance without assaulting’ anyone.
“The former Police Chief knows how to obtain compliance without assaulting’ anyone.” Really? You can’t be that naive can you. Law enforcement is known for using force to obtain compliance whether warranted or not. It’s highly probable the former Chief and now City Manager grabbed him. Secondly, the reporting is unclear regarding the public’s ability to attend with respect to the Brown Act. I cannot believe that the meeting could be private.
THE COMMUNITY OF PASO ROBLES & CITY COUNCIL OWES MR RIVERA AN APOLOGY,
If anyone in the community believes that a man has the right to put hands on a 70 yr old man for ANY reason? Let’s take a moment and check your heart. Sadly, Mr. Rivera is on the receiving end of Mr Lewis’ anger for an email I wrote to the City Council. My son was nearly killed by 6 Paso Robles Police Dept. Officer Neary punched him in the face. I made an Internal Affairs report that sat on Mayor Martin’s desk for nearly 5 months. It was reviewed by Sgt. Tod Rehner the video shows Officer Neary punched my son in the face and Rehner characterized it as deserved. My son was in a decompensating mental state after witnessing the JJs Store gang shooting as well as surviving the Wuhan Virus in early January before it was even called COVID. I am no fan of Ty Lewis as Police Chief as he and I battled on email about the government codes of residency vs guest. Arguing with the PD the difference between a Psychiatric Hold and arresting him. After this situation came to a head, PC Lewis’ decision was to press 10 assaulting officer charges on my son and he spent 60 unnecessary days in jail and 18 months on probation. My son is healthy, well, sober and absolutely a COVID long hauler, even lost some vision. When Lewis moved over to City Manager I was not happy. We commonly call this the Peter Principle in Govt service when a failed employee is promoted because they have hit their skill set. Why do I say he IS a failure? I digress, Ty Lewis was also Police Chief when he had an officer sexually assaulting women. My question is how did that officer get to resign with his pension and face zero charges for his crimes? None at all. So if Ty Lewis let him resign, and did not even have this officer face work disciplinary charges is he not complicit? I wonder how many women in our City are still afraid to come forward. I wonder how many small businesses or any business in Paso Robles has faced Ty’s bad decision making or bully behavior. After confirming with PRPD, that they indeed violated my son’s civil rights and they, thePRPD decided they did nothing wrong. I caught the attention of Dan Dow, DA and he asked me to forward my complaint. Since, has been with his investigator. Fast Forward to today, I have been a pain in the side of the Council, although Mayor Martin treated me horribly, I still went to Council to help the CIty in areas, while still pitching my plight to get my son’s name cleared.
When the District 1 seat opened, I was encouraged to apply for the job. I did so, in that process I learned a lot of how the Council operates, I was displeased to hear from many that Ty thinks he is the head hauncho of the City. I heard statements like, “Whatever Ty says goes.” “Be careful with him, he knows everything.” Surely I did NOT take heed to those statements.
We went through the interviews at the end of the interviews, Mr. Rivera who was present asked me if it were okay if he spoke up for me. When he was walking to the podium, I saw a change in facial expressions and Mr. Lewis showed straight hatred for the man. If you are even around City Hall, even a little bit it is a known fact that Ty Lewis hates Mr. Rivera. Mayor Hamon in that interview hired his neighbor Sharon Roden. In fairness to my district, I was disappointed in the antithetical choice of cronyism. I still contend that Liz Lee would have satisfied the Latino Voters in this district.
I pitched a fuss on Ms Lee’s behalf. Soon after, I found out on Next door app that Ty Lewis makes 228k a year and had a major WTH moment. That is the pay of a City Manager of a city of 68k constituents. I sent an email to the council questioning his pay, his residency. STOP .. HIS RESIDENCY.! I SENT AN EMAIL, Gave. Mayor Hamon kudos as he actually responded and said he was happy with his choice and that Ty lives in Paso Robles. Subject over.
SPEAKING Of salaries, Why is this Mr. Fortun making 130 k a year and our Police officers only make approximately 90K. If you look at these admin salaries under Ty Lewis, there are pretty bloated.
Also, our City Clerk, Melissa Boyer is accused of being involved in a court action and used her position to bolster a case for a friend. She is till in her seat.
The very next Monday I received a call from Mr. Rivera proceeded to tell me how Ty Lewis accused him of spreading the rumor that he does not live in the City. How Ty Lewis thought that Mr. Rivera told me? It is a leap off of the Grand Canyon. If you all care to read. One of the emails clearly invited Mr. Rivera to be there but he could only be an observer and report back.
So I ask between that invite and the actual meeting what changed for Mr. Lewis? That is the question. The answer is my EMAIL. Did he accost Mr. Rivera because Mr. Lewis was angry assuming Mr. Rivera told me he did not live in the City? Why he even confronted Mr. Rivera over who started a rumor? This is exactly as Mr. Rivera said. Ty’s hatred for him clouded his judgment that day.
Well i went to City Council and clarified for Mr. Lewis that I learned that information on Nextdoor and I hardly speak with Mr. Rivera. This is where everyone says.. OHHHHHH, Standalone what happened to Mr. Rivera sounds bizarre and petty. However, I have been receiving threats, and intimidation from Mr. Lewis’ closest friends and family. Lisa Lewis and Scott Howenstine from Parkside Realty, a Sam Lewis and Sgt Ricky Lehr. Would an innocent man send his minions to intimidate me? All he has done is dig a bigger grave. I should not have to explain to anyone in this City what toxicity that Mr. Lewis emulated as Police Chief and City Manager.
Most Recently, he signed the Dixon Contract to continue the controversial parking program without a City Council Vote. That is to happen on November 21, 2023. I have conveyed all these names and story to the Detective investigating Ty. I have been saying for 3 years, but today ore than ever? The State of California and the City should have a ZERO Tolerance for Workplace Violence. Like I said at City Council, Ty you had no right putting your hands on a 70 yr old man and if that were my dad? I would be in jail. Come on Paso Robles It is #TimeToTossTy805 before he hurts another person. Any Questions please reach out.