San Diego County announced Tuesday that Nadia Privara, the director of the county’s Behavioral Health Services Department, has been terminated. The decision follows a court‑ordered release of internal misconduct records that documented a series of troubling incidents at the county’s Edgemoor skilled‑nursing facility and psychiatric hospital.
Record‑keeping lawsuit forces disclosure
After more than a year of litigation, the county was compelled by Superior Court Judge Matthew C. Braner to turn over employee‑misconduct files. The documents reveal multiple substantiated complaints, including two cases of sexual harassment at the psychiatric hospital, a supervisor who stole food, and a racially charged comment made during a diversity‑training session.
Racist comment and subsequent promotion
In February 2025, an administrative analyst was heard during a county‑sponsored cultural‑responsiveness training exclaiming, “I thought this wasn’t going to be political, but what do you expect when it’s taught by a bunch of Black people.” County investigators removed the employee from the session and later concluded the remark was inappropriate. Despite the finding, the analyst was promoted to program coordinator in October 2025, a fact county officials declined to comment on.
Leadership changes and accountability
County Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton said the agency “does not tolerate racism or sexism,” but offered no specifics about the investigations or Privara’s role in any disciplinary actions. The county spokesperson, Tammy Glenn, said executives have called for a closer examination of decision‑making processes, accountability and leadership conduct. Long‑time official Jennifer Bransford‑Koons will serve as interim director while a permanent replacement is sought.
Privara, who rose from assistant director to acting director in April 2025 and was made permanent in January, expressed shock at her dismissal. “I am completely devastated and shocked by the county’s decision to terminate my employment and the manner in which they did it,” she wrote, adding that she is reviewing the matter with legal counsel.
County response and future steps
County spokesperson Tim McClain explained that many personnel decisions, including promotions and discipline, historically fall to department heads rather than county executives, which delayed senior leadership’s awareness of the specific incidents. He said the county is consolidating administrative functions—HR, finance, communications and technology—to improve oversight and ensure problems are identified sooner.
McClain also noted a review of hiring practices to ensure they reflect “our values, including equity and integrity, in addition to professional skills and expertise.” When pressed about the eight substantiated allegations, he declined to detail disciplinary actions, citing confidentiality, but affirmed that each case was investigated and addressed through established county processes.
About Edgemoor Skilled‑Nursing Facility
Edgemoor, a 192‑bed facility in Santee, provides round‑the‑clock residential care for individuals with complex medical and behavioral health needs. The misconduct records highlight cultural challenges within the facility and underscore the need for stronger oversight to protect vulnerable residents.
The county’s actions come amid broader calls for transparency and accountability in local government agencies. Residents and advocacy groups are watching closely to see whether the promised reforms will lead to lasting change.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
