Daily Business Report-July 23, 2013
Irene McCormack Jackson, left, with attorney Gloria Allred at a Monday press conference. (K.C.Alfred)
Former Communications Director
Sues Mayor Filner for Harassment
Citing specific examples of lewd behavior by the mayor, Irene McCormack Jackson — former communications director for San Diego Mayor Bob Filner — has filed a suit against the mayor and the city for sexual harassment. McCormack Jackson is represented by noted women’s-rights attorney Gloria Allred. Together they described repeated specific instances of sexual harassment and possible criminal behavior by Filner since McCormack Jackson went to work.
Reading in a clear and powerful voice from a prepared text, McCormack Jackson said the day she was named Filner’s communications director — a job for which she took a $50,000 per year pay cut — was one of the proudest of her career. But the past six months proved to be the worst period of her working life, she said. (She earned $125,000 annually at the city.)
The mayor treated women working for him as either sexual objects or idiots, said McCormack Jackson, who did not take reporters’ questions.
She described Filner’s penchant for putting her into a headlock and pulling her about, while whispering sexually explicit comments in her ear. She said the mayor often told her he loved her, wanted to kiss her, told her he wanted to see her naked and that she should work without panties at City Hall; and that he wanted to “consummate their relationship.”
“I saw him place his hands where they did not belong on numerous women,” she said. McCormack Jackson said the only relationship she ever had with Filner was a working relationship, and that she never gave the mayor any reason to believe otherwise.
Filner responded in a statement Monday evening, saying he was saddened by the charges. “Once due process is allowed to unfold, I am certain there will be a better understanding of this situation,” the statement said. “I remain committed to the people of San Diego and the work that needs to be done. My dreams and plans for moving this City to new heights are continuing. I humbly ask that through this vicious storm of controversy, people take a moment and temper their rush to judgment. I do not believe these claims are valid. That is why due process is so important. I intend to defend myself vigorously and I know that justice will prevail.”
Connect CEO Hospitalized With Brain Trauma
Duane J. Roth, CEO of Connect, was hospitalized Sunday after a solo bicycle accident. He was taken to UCSD Medical Center with brain trauma and placed in a medically induced coma, according to David Hale, a friend of Roth’s. Paul Laikind, chair of Connect’s board of directors, said the executive committee appointed Tyler Orion, past COO of Connect, as interim president. Orion currently serves on the Connect Foundation and association boards, having retired in 2006 as chief operating officer of Connect. She was president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance from 2001 until its merger with Connect in 2005.
Marine Corps Bachelor Enlisted Quarters Wins National Award
The $130 million United States Marine Corps Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Camp Pendleton has won a national Design-Build award from the Design-Build Institute of America. The award will be presented Nov. 5 at the DBIA’s annual awards dinner in Las Vegas. The San Diego architectural firms RJC Architects and Joseph Wong Design Associates, in a design/build team with Hensel Phelps Soltek Joint Venture, completed the award-winning project in 2012. That same year, the residential campus was named an American Public Works Association Public Works Project of the Year..
Attorney Susan Hack to Receive Daniel T. Broderick III Award
Susan Hack, partner at Higgs Fletcher & Mack, will be presented with the Daniel T. Broderick III award at the 29th annual Red Boudreau Trial Lawyers’ Celebration on Aug. 2. The award is given to a lawyer in private practice with a substantial body of civil litigation experience, who epitomizes the highest principles of civility, integrity and professionalism. Hack joined Higgs Fletcher & Mack in 1989 and became a partner in 1996. She heads the firm’s diversity committee that has given over $30,000 in scholarships over the last three years, and leads the education side of its professional development committee. She recently was selected as one of 20 women in San Diego by San Diego Metro Magazine with the “Women Who Impact” award.
Eastridge Group of Staffing Companies Names President
Seth Stein, 40, has been named president of The Eastridge Group of Staffing Companies. Robert Svet, chairman and CEO who founded Eastridge in San Diego over four decades ago, said this is the first promotion of its kind in the 42-year history of the company. Since 2009, Stein has been president of Abbott Staffing Group, an Eastridge subsidiary. Stein has also served as executive vice President of Eastridge’s General Services Division. Stein joined Eastridge 15 years ago as an entry-level business development associate. Since then, he has led various Eastridge divisions in San Diego, Las Vegas, Houston, and Dallas.
Federal Contracts
BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $38,601,943 federal contract by the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, for work on the USS Benfold.
Home Sales Brisk at San Elijo Hills
More than 70 new homes have been sold at four neighborhoods in San Elijo Hills in the first half of this year. Prices currently range from the mid $400,000s to more than $900,000.Lennar has sold 31 homes this year at Belmont, a neighborhood of 131 detached homes priced from the mid-$400,000s. D.R. Horton has sold 19 homes at Altaire, a neighborhood of two-story homes. Prices start in the $700,000s. Ryland Homes has sold 15 homes at Bella Vista, single-family homes that start in the low $800,000s. Lennar also sold the final six homes at Terraza West, a neighborhood with two-story floor plans priced from the $600,000s.
