Shasta County Elections Chief Clint Curtis Holds Press Conference Amid Harassment Allegations
- Elisa Ballard
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Redding, CA — Clint Curtis, Shasta County’s Registrar of Voters and County Clerk, held a press conference on Thursday evening, May 21, 2026, to push back against recent accusations of workplace harassment and a hostile work environment in the elections office.
Curtis and several current employees defended his leadership and character, claiming the allegations are politically motivated and one-sided. The event, held outside county offices, was repeatedly disrupted by Dolores Lucero, a self-proclaimed “Shasta County Watchdog,” who used a bullhorn to shout accusations and attempt to drown out speakers.
Clint Curtis: “Complete Lies” and a “Hack Job”
Curtis opened the press conference by comparing the situation to the treatment of former President Donald Trump, calling the accusations “complete lies” that “never happened.”
He described himself as “probably the friendliest, happiest guy you have ever want to see,” stating he rarely disciplines employees and always tries to work things out. Curtis said he provided testimony, as did supportive employees, and even took a polygraph test — which he claimed showed a 99.9% accuracy rate — but that county personnel ignored all of it.
He strongly criticized the Oppenheimer Group, the firm hired to investigate the complaints, calling them a “little hit group” that produces predetermined outcomes. Curtis announced plans to sue the Oppenheimer Group.
“I haven’t written anybody up unless they blatantly said they weren’t going to cooperate,” he said. “We will be suing Oppenheimer Group, and we will be doing them in.”
Curtis emphasized that he does not yell, raise his voice, curse, drink, or smoke, and speaks so softly that he sometimes needs a microphone. He called for the county to reopen the investigation and hear from all sides.
Laura Hobbs: Eyewitness Account Refutes Allegations
Laura Hobbs, an elections office worker, directly refuted one of the central accusations — that Curtis threatened to drag an employee out of an office by her hair.
“I was there when the supposed incident occurred,” Hobbs said. She explained the employee had barricaded herself in her office and refused to train a new worker. According to Hobbs, Curtis calmly stated that if the employee locked herself in, they would move her to a cubicle without a door.
“He was not yelling, there was no threat, absolutely zero threats of physical violence,” Hobbs stated. “That was a complete fabrication.”
Hobbs added that she submitted a signed declaration under penalty of perjury and accused middle management of creating a toxic work environment through resistance to change and attempts to undermine new employees and Curtis.
Patty Plumb: “Teflon Duck” Leadership and Transparency
Patty Plumb, who began as extra help last fall and was hired full-time in January, described a difficult transition marked by daily obstacles from long-time staff resistant to Curtis’s changes.
She praised Curtis for simplifying processes and increasing transparency, inviting the public to visit the new observation room. Plumb said Curtis handles criticism calmly, calling him a “Teflon duck” because “things just roll off of him.”
Plumb expressed frustration that only one side of the story has been heard publicly.
“We are employees here. We need to be heard,” she said. “Having a free and fair election is what we all want.”
Marjorie Andrews: “Clint Derangement Syndrome”
Marjorie Andrews, who worked as a temporary executive assistant, said she was initially excited to join but encountered significant resistance from staff opposed to Curtis’s reforms.
She described stonewalling, “rabbit trails,” and ridicule when asking questions. Andrews said she has never seen Curtis lose his temper, curse, or raise his voice.
“I’ve never seen a man smile so much as I have with Mr. Curtis,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Andrews called the situation “Clint Derangement Syndrome,” arguing the attacks are aimed at Curtis because he is an outsider bringing transparency and change.
Kari Chilson: Election Observer Perspective
Drawing from her experience monitoring three elections under former Deputy ROV Joanna Francesca, Kari Chilson, a citizen election observer, described what she called a "hidden election" marked by poor treatment and harassment of observers by staff. She highlighted hundreds of similar testimonies and declarations documenting these issues and criticized the previous administration for resisting basic transparency measures, such as additional cameras. Kari emphasized that fair elections are essential for the future of Shasta County’s children and its 180,000 residents, praising Curtis for implementing meaningful reforms. Hobbs spoke again, giving an example of poor treatment as an observer, being escorted to a cold public restroom using a “cane of shame,” and said observers were deliberately humiliated to discourage their presence.
Disruptions and Ongoing Controversy
The press conference was repeatedly interrupted by Dolores Lucero, who shouted “You’re a liar!” multiple times, accused Curtis of being a Democrat pretending to be a Republican, and made personal attacks. Lucero brought a bullhorn to the event and continued heckling throughout. This may have been a violation of Penal Code §403 PC - Disturbing a Public Meeting, although it didn't appear as if anyone called the police. It appears that Lucero was willfully disturbing a lawful public assembly, making it very difficult for people to hear what the speakers were saying. The crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Curtis and his supporters urged the Board of Supervisors and county personnel to conduct a full, balanced investigation that includes employee testimony given under penalty of perjury and the polygraph results.
To watch the entire press conference:
