San Diego Ex-COO Settlement: Details & Amount
- The city of San Diego will pay $146,000 to its former Chief Operating Officer, Eric Dargan, to settle a dispute that began with his abrupt dismissal in February.
- Mayor Todd Gloria had thanked Dargan, who is Black, for his service after his September 2022 appointment.
- Gloria then reversed course, asserting Dargan was terminated for cause and not entitled to severance.
San Diego approved a $146,000 settlement for former COO Eric Dargan following his abrupt dismissal and a subsequent discrimination suit. The city council finalized the deal after a debate on the necessity of the Chief Operating Officer role, revealing a rift between mayor Todd Gloria and some council members concerning financial responsibility. Council members initially disagreed on the reasons behind the severance, with one member stating it was needless as Dargan was terminated for cause. Activists questioned Gloria’s experience during a budget crisis while Gloria blamed the council. With this San Diego settlement, explore the details that led to the hefty payout, including the timeline before Dargan’s departure. News Directory 3 provides further insight into the financial decisions. Discover what’s next as the city shifts focus.
San Diego Settles With Ex-COO Dargan for $146K
Updated june 24, 2025
The city of San Diego will pay $146,000 to its former Chief Operating Officer, Eric Dargan, to settle a dispute that began with his abrupt dismissal in February. The San Diego City Council approved the settlement Tuesday.
Mayor Todd Gloria had thanked Dargan, who is Black, for his service after his September 2022 appointment. The mayor’s office then absorbed the COO position,citing cost savings.Tho, Dargan afterward filed a discrimination suit in March, claiming breach of contract for lack of severance pay.
Gloria then reversed course, asserting Dargan was terminated for cause and not entitled to severance. The settlement, exceeding the $120,000 Dargan sought, was approved despite opposition from council members Marni von Wilpert and Raul Campillo.
Campillo acknowledged Dargan’s positive impact on his constituents but stated he saw no basis for the settlement.
Councilman henry Foster III previously attempted to restore the COO position, arguing Gloria was overwhelmed managing city operations. His effort failed in a 6-3 vote, preserving Gloria’s authority over the executive office.
Activist Shane Harris had argued the COO job was vital, claiming Gloria lacked the experience to manage San Diego’s operations, especially during a budget crisis.
Gloria refuted these claims and blamed the council for potential budget problems.
“Today, some members of the City Council attempted to fully override my line-item veto, and they failed,” Gloria said in a statement monday. ”That outcome affirms the need for fiscal responsibility and a realistic approach to budgeting – something I’ve committed to and San Diegans deserve.”
What’s next
The $146,000 settlement will be paid from a public liability fund, concluding this chapter. The city will now focus on budget management and operational efficiency.