By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara City Manager Jovan Grogan and City Attorney Glen Googins met separately with 49ers executives at team headquarters before they were hired by the City, according to a source in a position to know about the meetings.
The meetings took place in late 2022 at the 49ers’ headquarters next to Levi’s Stadium, according to the source, who requested anonymity because of fear of retaliation.
According to the source, 49ers officials Jihad Beauchman, Rahul Chandhok and Larry MacNeil met separately with Grogan and Googins while the two men were candidates for two of the most powerful positions at Santa Clara City Hall.
The source said the meetings were held in secret and not disclosed to the full City Council.
Yesterday, both Grogan and Googins denied the meetings took place, according to Janine De la Vega, the City’s Publc Information Officer.
The source did not know whether Bob Murray & Associates, the executive search firm hired by Santa Clara, arranged or facilitated the meetings.
If accurate, the undisclosed meetings raise questions about the independence and transparency of the hiring process.
Since taking office, Grogan and Googins have been directly involved in major negotiations involving the 49ers and Levi’s Stadium.
In May 2024, a City Council closed-session agenda specifically identified both men as Santa Clara’s negotiators with the 49ers’ stadium company over the price and terms of the stadium lease, while the Council was also dealing with major litigation involving the team.
Also, Grogan and Googins negotiated a Super Bowl reimbursement arrangement under which Santa Clara would pay millions of dollars in public-safety costs, with the Bay Area Host Committee responsible for reimbursement.
Neither Grogan or Googins had experience with these types of negotiations.
It’s been 226 days since the Super Bowl was played in Santa Clara. Grogan and Googins have not reported if the City has been fully reimbursed for all Super Bowl costs.
In 2022, Santa Clara’s recruitment materials emphasized the importance of independence for the City Manager and City Attorney.
Bob Murray & Associates’ recruitment brochure for City Manager said Santa Clara was seeking a candidate who was “transparent, honest, and ethical” and capable of providing balanced recommendations to the City Council.
The recruitment brochure for City Attorney went even further. It said Santa Clara wanted an attorney who was “ethical, impartial, and honest,” capable of remaining neutral and nonpartisan and willing to provide legal advice to protect the City’s interests. The brochure specifically noted that the City Attorney advises and represents the Santa Clara Stadium Authority on stadium matters.
Grogan was appointed City Manager by the Council on Feb. 7, 2023.
Googins was selected as City Attorney in January 2023 after the Council interviewed candidates in closed session.
Maybe sports organizations need to be stopped from contributing to politicians in any way, shape and form, and stay in their own lane….. SPORTS! The corruption is everywhere. It’s pathetic.
I have no idea if the report of the meetings is true or not, but I do find it somewhat odd that Grogan and Googins issued their denials through a third person. If someone had made a false report about something I had done, I would certainly make any statement about it in person and be available for any questions from the public.
Maybe we are just being paranoid, it’s normal for candidates to meet with the new hiring managers and decision makers. And fear of retaliation? Really, what are the chances of these thugs resorting to retaliation?
The story of “The Corruption of Santa Clara” would make a great story, but it would have to be presented as fiction versus documentary. No one would believe it.
Did 49er 5 know this? They were part of hiring process.
Could this explain the recent push for raises without evaluations? And retroactive pay for these two but not for unions?
This needs more light shed on it. Grand jury perhaps?
This certainly explains the glowing reviews of the city manager and city attorney by the SVVoice as they are the exclusive Jed York rag.
This needs to end.
From 2016, 49ers executives changed jobs with other firms aided by Bob Murray and Associates.
Just a coincidence I’m sure. They do a lot of searching for the 49ers, this was just another typical search. Right?