On Tuesday, the Oakley City Council will discuss a formal censure of Councilmember George Fuller and ask for his resignation.
The move comes after years of controversy by Fuller (see list in editors comment) while serving as a councilmember which now includes a third-party investigation that confirms bullying and retaliatory actions against city staff. Those details, have not been provided by in any of the documents released by the city.
A public records request to the city provided multiple emails from Councilmember Fuller to City Staff.
In fact, after a public records request, an email from Fuller to Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard (see above), acknowledges Fuller is not to communicate with the chief. It is unclear if Fuller is allowed to communicate with other staff. The council had previously removed Fuller from his committee assignments due to his behavior.
The staff report further highlights that due to behavior of Fuller, his behavior has required the City to devote significant time and financial resources to investigations and responses, diverting taxpayer dollars and staff energy away from essential City services and priorities
The staff report, as follows, was written by Mayor Shannon Shaw:
At its last meeting, during the request for future agenda items portion of the City Council’s agenda, two councilmembers requested an item be brought forward to censure Council Member Fuller based on recent conduct toward staff.
The City Council has the authority and responsibility to ensure that the conduct of its members meets the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Allegations were brought forward regarding the conduct of Councilmember Fuller, specifically regarding bullying and retaliatory actions against staff. In response, the city commissioned an independent third-party investigation.
The investigation has been completed and sustained findings were made that Councilmember Fuller engaged in bullying and retaliatory conduct. Such conduct is inconsistent with the duties of elected office, undermines the ability of staff to perform their work, erodes public trust in the City Council, and has required the City to devote significant time and financial resources to investigations and responses.
Although the Council does not have the authority to remove a duly elected official absent a criminal conviction or other legal disqualification, it may take formal action to express disapproval of such conduct. A Resolution of Censure has been prepared for Council consideration. This resolution not only censures Councilmember Fuller but also calls upon him to resign from office in order to protect the integrity of the City of Oakley and restore public confidence
Also in the report and resolution are a series of recommendations:
The Mayor recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution of Censure formally censuring Councilmember Fuller for bullying and retaliatory conduct and calling for his resignation
According to the resolution:
- Formal Censure. The City Council hereby formally censures Councilmember Fuller for conduct determined by an independent third-party investigation to constitute bullying and retaliation against City staff; and
- Statement of Disapproval. The Council declares that such conduct is unacceptable, incompatible with the responsibilities of public office, and harmful to the effective governance of the City; and
- Expectations Going Forward. Councilmember Fuller is expected to immediately cease all bullying and retaliatory conduct and to adhere to all applicable City policies, ethical standards, and state laws; and
- Corrective Action Opportunities. The Council encourages Councilmember Fuller to participate in professional development, including but not limited to workplace harassment prevention and ethics training under Government Code § 53235; and
- Call for Resignation. In light of the seriousness of these sustained findings, the demonstrated history of this behavior toward staff, fellow councilmembers, other elected officials, and constituents, and the waste of City time and financial resources, the City Council hereby calls upon Councilmember Fuller to immediately resign from office
City Council Documents
- Staff Report: Click Here
- Staff Report Supplemental: Click here
- Resolution: Click Here
If You Go:
Oakley City Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
6:30 PM
3231 Main Street, Oakley, CA
Agenda – click here
Editors Note: Since being elected, Fuller has created much controversy to include the following:
- Taking to social media and his blog to attack elected officials, constituents and staff, consultants, etc.
- Blocks constituents from social media
- Dec 2024 – Fuller bypassed as Mayor (see story)
- In Nov 2024, he suggested an opponent to his council race goes back to Ukraine (see story)
- In Nov 2024, Fuller suggested disbursing the planning commission (see story)
- In July 2024, Fuller accused staff of secret agendas and switching out staff reports.
- In May 2024, Fuller openly criticizes the Oakley Rotary Club and mislead the public about Enrico Cinquini Park, E Cypress Project Funding, McDonalds, Quick Quack Car Wash. This forced City Manager Josh McMurray and Aaron Meadows to issue a response refuting Fuller. (see story)
- In January 2024, he attached club sports teams calling them highly discriminatory and they should pay more for facilities (see story)
- In late 2023, he falsely accused his fellow councilmembers of money laundering claims (see story)
- In Aug 2023, he threw a fit during a meeting when Councilmember Shaw grabbed a bottle of water (see video)
- In Mid 2023, he mislead the public about the Koda Park project while slamming City Manager Josh McMurray (see story)
- In early 2023, he suggested the Oakley Police Department not provided aid to Antioch Police Calls… chief responds (see story)
- In 2022, Fuller suggested turning 55-acres park plan into affordable housing (see story)
- In 2022, Fuller suggested limiting public comments (see story)
Videos
- June 10, 2025 – Fuller causes council to take a 5 minute break. This time, during the Work Session to Discuss Potential Housing Element Rezone and Affordable Housing Overlay Sites Related to Regional Housing Needs Allocation Compliance
- June 10, 2025 – Tempers flare in during Adoption of a Resolution Adopting the City of Oakley Climate Action Plan 2025
- Feb 11, 2025 – Councilmember Aaron Meadows to George Fuller on Item 4.5 — Enrico Cinquini Park. “Councilmember Fuller, maybe do some research on Enrico Cinquini. He did a lot for Oakley. You wouldn’t be sitting here really if it wasn’t for him,” said Meadows
- July 2024 – This is 1:30 out of an approx 10 min report out on Tuesdays Oakley Council Meeting. With regards to the Carol Lane Apartments… Councilmember Fuller suggests legislation, he is called out by Meadows. Fuller has no answer–comical exchange. Later, after Fuller claims Oakley has a financial interest in the apartments, its clarified by city manager Oakley only has interest in a single building that has nothing to do with what is occurring at the Oaks Apartments
- July 2024 – Councilmember George Fuller essentially being called out for misleading folks online and on nextdoor. He didn’t like it.
- May 2024 – Stunning 9-minutes from Council Meeting… ageism/senior accusations, China, Bryan Montgomery, social media postings, blogs, rotary voting block, fireworks, micromanaging, park design, etc. Shaw responds to laundry-list rundown of Fuller misstatements about her – Williams to Fuller – Stop negative campaigning from the dais and start doing actual work.
- May 2024 – a real gem.
- May 2024 – Councilmember Aaron Meadows to George Fuller on use of social media: FACTS MATTER!!!!!! Meadows also questions why Fuller keeps bringing up the Rotary Club in his slams online.
- Nov 2023 – during a session on fireworks, Fuller mistakes a male for a female.
- Aug 2023 – The Great Water Debacle of 2023! Apparently Councilmembers in are not allowed to grab water from staff
Previous
- Sept. 24 – Oakley Mayor Requests Censure of Councilmember George Fuller
- Dec 10, 2024 – Fuller Bypassed, Shannon Shaw Appointed Mayor of Oakley
- April 8, 2024 – Oakley City Council to Discuss Social Media Policy
- Feb 12, 2024 – Oakley City Council to Talk Censures and Expression of Opinions
