Ex Health CEO Claims Public Records Withheld

Former Desert Healthcare District and Foundation CEO Told Board Directors He is Not Getting Public Records He Requested. Are They Being Deleted?

PALM SPRINGS — Chris Christensen, former CEO of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, appeared before the Board of Directors to plead his case for public records.

Christensen, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Desert Healthcare District in May 2024, was terminated on Tuesday, May 26, effective immediately, according to the board’s legal counsel.

During the public comments portion of the July 28 meeting, Christensen reminded Directorss that at the May 26th board of directors meeting, he made a public statement regarding the lack of integrity and ethics by President Kimberly Barraza, in addition to comments of concern related to the “intentional delays” in completing his annual performance evaluation.

“The statement was intended to publicly encourage President Barraza and the board to discontinue the delays and to complete my evaluation,” Christensen said. “Later, the board utilized a closed session originally intended to complete my evaluation to terminate my employment effective immediately. I was shocked by this act of retaliation and intimidation resulting from my exercise of free speech and engagement in other activities protected by law.”

The district’s new five-year strategic plan and a consulting services agreement with Sowen to continue the valuable work for planned implementation had just been approved. I desired completion of my evaluation so I could focus all of my attention on the plan implementation.

“As part of my termination, the district’s legal counsel (Jeffrey Scott) offered me nearly $100,000 of public tax dollars, a.k.a. hush money, to execute a waiver of claims against the district, which I declined,” Christensen said.

During a special board meeting on June 17th, Mr. Scott was heard dishonestly stating there was no such document, Christensen alleged.

“Was this document destroyed? Since my termination on May 26th, I have made several public comments or public records requests requesting e-mail, texts, and cell phone messages along with other documents. Responses to many requests are significantly delayed. All requests for status updates are ignored.”

It also appears the monthly board meeting dates are the driver of releasing records. The day of the June 23rd board meeting, and now yesterday and today, I finally received some of my requests,. Christensen said, “In contrast, on July 17th, I made a public records request for a document related to the lease purchase agreement validation action for which I have been subpoenaed to provide a deposition. Amazingly, the following day on a Saturday, Mr. Scott emailed me the documents. What is the strategy about?”

Interestingly, Mr. Scott has informed me that specific records, records which could potentially expose the district to improprieties, do not exist or cannot be located. Are these records being covered up or, worse yet, deleted, Christensen asked rhetorically.

“The reason for my concern regarding deleting records relates to a public records request the district received in 2023 for records related to the hospital lease negotiations. At the time, Mr. Scott directed me to delete many of the records, which I declined. Why does such a delay exist in some requests yet I received a prompt weekend response for the LPA validation action? What is the district attempting to hide?

“These egregious acts of dishonesty by the district’s legal counsel, coupled with the acts of Board President Kimberly Barraza, should be of great concern to the director, Christensesn said. “It is disheartening to me that the district that I committed 12 years of my life to serving is infested with such lack of integrity, along with unethical and unprofessional behavior.”

The board does not take action on public comments.

Christensen made sure his comments were made publicly and, on the record. Could a lawsuit against the district be on the horizon? Stay tuned.

In an interesting twist, Barraza is not seeking reelection to the board in the November election. Two requests for comment have not been returned.

The Healthcare District and Foundation Board welcomed Barraza in November 2022. She had served as a senior district representative and policy advisor for then-State Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. A resident in the District’s Zone 6, she will serve a four-year term. Barraza, who is knowledgeable about the state Legislature and budget process, brings to the Board experience working directly with community members and local, state, and federal policymakers.