Grand jury: Supervisor Leonard Moty used office for his benefit during Carr Fire

File photo – Numerous roads were closed to motorists during the 2018 Carr Fire, and it would be several days before some residents would be let back in to their neighborhoods as crews worked to mop up the fire. In this photo, westbound traffic on Highway 299 is blocked at Buenaventura Boulevard in west Redding on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

 (Photo: Caltrans)

District 2 Supervisor Leonard Moty used his office to get service that was not available to residents in his district during the 2018 Carr Fire, the Shasta County grand jury announced Monday afternoon.

But the grand jury said Moty did not break any laws when he was escorted into his neighborhood numerous times to refuel a generator at his home.

Moty was found to have “infringed upon the rights of others” by using county resources for his own benefit during the catastrophic wildfire that destroyed nearly 1,100 homes, the grand jury report “Carr Fire Incident” stated.

The grand jury said he used the “professional courtesy” afforded to him to prevent the loss of perishable food items at this home.

“While the jury determined no laws were broken and proper escorts were provided, the act of bringing fuel on multiple occasions is a clear indicator that intent of the tours on those days was to fuel the supervisor’s personal generator,” the report said.

The grand jury recommends that a motion to censure Moty be placed on the Oct. 15 Shasta County Board of Supervisors agenda. The grand jury also recommends that  Moty be given the chance to apologize for his actions on the same day.

The report comes as Moty, District 1 Supervisor Joe Chimenti and District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert face potential recalls from a group called Recall Shasta. The group has said it wants to recall the three supervisors due to, among other things, a betrayal of trust for following state health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grand jury said it received a complaint against Moty and formed a committee to do an investigation.

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As part of the investigation, the grand jury sought legal advice from the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office.

“Based on the information provided to this grand jury it was determined that sufficient evidence existed to confirm that the complaint’s concerns were warranted,” the grand jury said in a news release.

Shasta County DA Stephanie Bridgett did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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Leonard Moty

 (Photo: Mike Chapman/Record Searchlight)

In a text to the Record Searchlight, Moty said, “The Carr Fire was a crisis and I stood with our Sheriff (Tom Bosenko) and first responders in trying everything possible to protect our community as parts of it were reduced to rubble and ash.”

Moty said he spent nearly every day behind the fire lines checking on homes, helping people with livestock, vehicles and other issues of concern.

“We filled generators, including at my own house, to stop spoilage of food,” he said. “I welcome scrutiny of my leadership in the crisis, god forbid we’d be faced with anything similar in the future, but we must learn any lessons we can and be at our best when it counts most.”

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Moty said he respects the findings of the grand jury and plans to move forward with the best interest of the community in mind.

The Carr Fire was the most destructive and deadliest wildfire in Shasta County history. It burned 229,651 acres and is linked to the deaths of eight people.

File photo – Redding police block incoming traffic Friday, July 27, 2018 at Highway 273 and Westwood Avenue while also directing people out of the area due to Carr Fire evacuations.

 (Photo: Benjamin Spillman/USA TODAY NETWORK)

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-225-8219. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

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