AC TRANSIT ADDRESSES FINDINGS FROM INDEPENDENT BOARD INVESTIGATION

AC TRANSIT ADDRESSES FINDINGS FROM INDEPENDENT BOARD INVESTIGATION

Transit District makes findings and video public, affirms confidence in independent review

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and its policymaking Board of Directors share responsibility for adopting and upholding the standards established through governing policies. Our collective accountability must be all-encompassing: protecting the public, supporting employees, and holding elected officials to the same standards expected of everyone.

Understanding these high standards is critical to understanding how the Board of Directors and Transit District addressed allegations arising from the September 24, 2025, public meeting.

During the meeting, emotions were understandably high as we mourned the loss of a beloved, longtime Board member who was a colleague, friend, and familiar presence to so many. In that deeply personal meeting, members of the public, employees, and Board members alike shared kind words, expressions of support, and embraces.

During these expressions of support, one Board Director raised a concern that they had experienced unwanted physical contact from an elected colleague and that the contact violated Board policies.

These concerns were taken seriously, and the allegations were promptly referred to an independent attorney-investigator. The investigator carefully reviewed witness statements, relevant AC Transit policies, and available video evidence to determine what occurred.

Following that review, the investigator found the allegation of unwanted physical contact to be unsubstantiated. The review also found no violation of the District's Anti-Bullying and Prevention of Abusive Conduct Policy or its Zero Tolerance for Workplace Violence Policy.

The investigator did substantiate one allegation, finding that conduct on September 24 violated the District's Policy Prohibiting Gender-Based Harassment.

When a Board policy violation is found, the Board has the authority to consider disciplinary action. Importantly, any such action must be considered openly during a public meeting, consistent with California's open-meeting requirements. To date, no meeting to consider discipline has been scheduled.

AC Transit believes it is important to recognize both the seriousness with which this matter was reviewed and the humanity of the moment in which it occurred.

Ultimately, accountability requires more than setting high standards and following them. We believe this matter was addressed with the seriousness, fairness, and transparency those standards demand.

Given the interest in this matter, our Transit District has made the September 24 meeting video available so riders, employees, elected officials, and the East Bay communities we serve can review the footage and better understand the investigator's conclusions. The video is unedited and can be accessed at the following link: https://actransit.us/BOD-9-24-25

The events related to the allegations begin at approximately 1:58:43.