CITY of Westminster Civic Center (OC Tribune photo).

To our readers: This is a revised and updated version of the original story posted on Sunday.

By Jim Tortolano

A special meeting closed session of the Westminster City Council has been called for Monday at 7:30 p.m. to consider appointment of a controversial candidate for new city manager.

The session, which was moved up from Wednesday, will be conducted via teleconference/web conference only.  According to the agenda, it will be held in the large conference room in the City Hall building, 8200 Westminster Blvd.

CHU THAI

The candidate tapped to fill the position of the city’s top appointed officer is Choung (Chu) N. Thai. If confirmed, he would take over duties from Sherry Johnson, city finance director, who has been serving as interim city manager after the resignation of Eddie Manfro.

Thai’s employment record has come under scrutiny from some community leaders.

At his last public employer – the City of Monterey Park, where he worked as director of management services – he was placed on administrative leave and eventually terminated for questionable conduct including use of a city-issued credit card and his relationship with a person bidding on a city contract worth $600,000 to $700,000.

“The council voted to offer the job to the new city manager,” said Westminster City Councilmember Tai Do. “His past issues with his employments were not disclosed. I am shocked to learn that he was fired from the City of Monterey Park for the alleged misconducts.”

Thai has worked for nine other cities in his career. According to material supplied to The Tribune, beginning in 1994, he has worked for La Mirada, Claremont, Tustin, Morgan Hill, Beverly Hills, South Pasadena, Stanton and Monterey Park.

He served as administrative services director for the City of Stanton from April to August 2013, leaving employment there under a “separation agreement.”

He was director of management services for Monterey Park from January 2014 to April 2017 when he was terminated. He is currently involved in a lawsuit with that city.

He is currently employed at Revenue & Cost Specialists of Fullerton as vice president.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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