Oakland transport chief filed claims as Lake became interim city administrator
Oakland Transportation Director Josh Rowan has accused interim City Administrator Betsy Lake and other officials of hostile treatment and retaliation. Lake denies misconduct, and Mayor Barbara Lee's office says the complaints were sent to investigators.
The City Council confirmed Lake as interim city administrator while Rowan's complaints were moving through City Hall. Rowan alleges Lake tried to push him out of his job and was involved in changing a paving contract, though those claims have not been independently verified.
Rowan has also filed a legal claim that could precede a lawsuit, asking Oakland to reinstate him as acting Public Works director, stop retaliation and give him workplace accommodations. The dispute matters because Lake now holds the city's top staff job during a search for a permanent administrator, while Rowan leads transportation work tied to paving, bike lanes and street safety.