In his Nov. 19 memorandum to DPS personnel, Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela said Ogumoro “is no longer employed with the department” effective Friday.
In a Nov. 18 letter to Ogumoro, which was concurred by acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Tudela said “two separate events have prompted” the deputy’s firing.
“Many concerns…have been raised about your conduct which resulted in an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General,” the letter stated.
It added, “The investigation substantiated that you violated the regulations of the department in the form of retaliation. The morale in the department is dismal and our mission to keep the public safe and uphold our laws is being compromised by your actions.”
According to Tudela, “Recent inquiries about your employment status from the payroll division of the Department of Finance resulted in the Office of Personnel Management’s verification of your legal status with the Department of Public Safety.”
Tudela said the verification disclosed that Ogumoro is “not currently employed by DPS.”
“Your employment contract as the range master expired on Sept. 30, 2010 which has not been renewed to date.
Your appointment as the deputy commissioner was never completed with a valid personnel action. While I can choose to rectify your employment status, it would be a disservice to the department to do so,” Tudela told Ogumoro.
Tudela said Ogumoro will be compensated for the services he rendered to DPS since the expiration of his contract beginning Oct. 1, 2010 until Nov. 18, 2010.
Ogumoro was also asked by Tudela to surrender all DPS property, “including but not limited to, documents, equipment, vehicle, and keys immediately.”
This reporter tried but failed to meet Ogumoro in his office on Friday. The Variety was told that the deputy commissioner reported for work on that day.
On May 19, 2010, Tudela relieved Ogumoro of his duties as deputy commissioner after meeting with Inos, who was acting governor at the time.
On July 6, 2010, however, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reinstated Ogumoro.
Grievance complaints had been filed against Ogumoro with the DPS commissioner, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Civil Service Commission.
He has been accused of favoritism, harassment, abuse of authority and creating a hostile work environment.
