LeVault's big pay-off

"I think it's a combination of ecstatic and disturbed by the money in the settlement," said one current employee about LaVault leaving -- she wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. "It's the best thing for the organization, but there has been so much damage he has done to the organization. That's going to be a long rebuilding process we're going to have to go through with the staff and the community. I think it's going to take a combination of a new board being elected, coming together with staff and working together to rebuild the organization."

LaVault was brought in two years ago to rebuild a financially flailing organization with a $1.9 million deficit, but he immediately began clashing with employees who complained about his violent and threatening behavior. Employees said he frequently yelled and swore at them, threw objects across rooms, and didn't let the women use the women's restroom. Female employees began filing complaints to the board, but they say the board did not respond and refused to undertake an investigation. They next filed several Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suits against PHS, which found probable cause for their complaints.

LaVault's only public reaction to the allegations was that he had an "East Coast" management style his employees could not accept. Throughout the scandal, the board has remained tight-lipped about their handling of the issue.

In a press release LaVault said, "It has been a privilege and a worthy challenge to serve as Executive Director for the past two years. Changing the status quo has always proved demanding. Given where we have come from, and where PHS still needs to go the time seems right for a change in leadership. That is why I am announcing my resignation as Executive Director for the Peninsula Humane Society..."

LaVault said he would be leaving December 20, one day before the board election. A follow-up call by the Daily Journal to LaVault ended with him only saying in a sing-song voice, "Good-bye."

Board President Carmen Jordan-Cox did not return the Daily Journal's calls for comment.

Employees say they are looking forward to rebuilding the organization now that LaVault is leaving. They said they have had considerable problems hiring and retaining staff, fundraising, and maintaining a good public image. One employee said that on Monday only one staff person was on duty to clean and care for several hundred animals.

Employees do not know if LaVault will be sticking around the two weeks before his departure date -- they just want him out of there.

"I think people are relieved," said another employee about staff morale. "But it's really weird because he's still here. So people just want him to go away. We just want it to be over."

Karen Pisani, who has a current EEOC suit pending against PHS, is also pleased her demand to terminate LaVault has been met -- but she will not settle on the suit until the three board members who were in office at the time of her employment resign. Pisani charges that Carmen Jordan-Cox, Paula Hoffman, and Lisa Warden turned their backs on employees who complained about LaVault, and instead stuck by his side.

"The EEOC charge still stands and I'm hoping that Pete's departure will bring a willingness to participate in the conciliation process, though that satisfies one of my demands," Pisani said.

The county is not backing off yet either -- the county board of supervisors has requested that PHS provide information about their protocol in handling sexual harassment cases before they agree to re-negotiate the organization's contract over county land.

"We will be reviewing all of our contracts when they come up with the Humane Society to guarantee that the nondiscrimination provisions have adequate sanctions and penalties for violations," said Supervisor Jerry Hill.

The board has not yet said how they will be recruiting a new executive director. They may or may not go through a head-hunter agency, like they did to find LaVault. And many associated with the organization are saying that they know the kind of person they are looking for.

"Someone kind and compassionate towards both people and animals with the ability to rebuild the organization. It's going to be a monolithic task," said Geraldine O'Connor, a long-standing member and a candidate for the board.

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