Investigation into Silicon Valley water CEO ramps up

Valley Water CEO Rick Callender’s leave of absence has been extended indefinitely as the region’s largest water supplier continues its investigation into an employee’s misconduct complaint against him.

Callender was originally supposed to return to work between late March and early April. But the Valley Water board of directors voted Tuesday to place Callender on paid administrative leave until further notice. Callender was previously on a leave of absence the agency described as “voluntary,” starting in December, after an employee filed a misconduct complaint against him. The nature of the complaint has not been publicly disclosed, and the board has declined to give details as the investigation continues. One board director, Rebecca Eisenberg, has said publicly the complaint is about “sexual harassment” and that more employees have since filed complaints against Callender.

This means Callender will need to make himself available for interviews during the investigation, even though Callender asked to be placed on administrative leave through his attorney.

“As my client approaches the conclusion of his sabbatical leave we write to ask that he be placed on paid administrative leave starting March 21, 2025 until August 1, 2025, or until the conclusion on any confidential investigations which may require his participation, and for information related to his claim to be discussed with Valley Water,” his attorney Lori Costanzo wrote on Feb. 25 to Valley Water’s lawyers.

It comes as Callender plans to file his own claim against the water agency over workplace retaliation and discrimination.

“The claim is still being developed and actively worked on,” Callender told San José Spotlight.

He said he has not yet been interviewed by investigators and rejected Eisenberg’s public statement that the complaint against him concerns sexual harassment — and that there are multiple complaints.

“Eisenberg is plain old lying. She would not even have access to any of the facts,” Callender told San José Spotlight.

Eisenberg defended her statements and said she’s spoken with one of the complainants.

“I met one of them face to face,” she told San José Spotlight.

Callender went on “voluntary leave” Dec. 14, four days after Salam Baqleh, a labor union leader representing most of the agency’s 850 employees, publicly demanded an unnamed executive be placed on administrative leave after a lower employee named the boss in a formal misconduct complaint. The union cited fears of retaliation against the employee due to the unnamed leader’s stature and power over the agency. After the union threatened to keep speaking publicly about the misconduct complaint, Callender stopped showing up to meetings.
“As a public agency with more than 850 employees, Valley Water must handle all HR and personnel matters with appropriate confidentiality and is unable to comment further at this time,” Valley Water spokesperson Matt Keller told San José Spotlight.

Baqleh declined to comment on Callender’s extended leave.

“We have no comment on the board’s action yesterday. We are focused on representing our members and making sure that they have a safe place to work,” Baqleh told San José Spotlight.

Contact Brandon Pho at [email protected] or @brandonphooo on X.