Controversy Surrounds Riverside City Manager and His Wife

The Riverside City Council issued a stern reprimand to Susan Freeman, the wife of City Manager Mike Futrell, accusing her of harassing city employees via phone calls, emails, and social media. The letter labeled Freeman’s communications as disruptive and distressing for city staff, suggesting no legitimate purpose. This letter, dated December 11, adds to a growing body of public records accusing Riverside’s city administration of toxic conditions and ‘civic indecency.’

Jason Hunter, a Riverside resident, publicly shared the letter after obtaining it through a public records request. He questioned whether a family member’s actions could be so distracting that it could liability and decrease city productivity. At a City Council meeting, officials discussed Futrell’s job performance without making a final decision.

Susan Freeman denied the accusations in the letter, arguing they attempt to silence her criticisms of President Trump unlawfully. She expressed confidence in her ability to prove she had not engaged in the described behaviors and defended her right to free speech.

Futrell, a retired U.S. Navy captain with a background as a Louisiana House Republican representative, and Freeman, a communications specialist involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting, have been notable figures in Riverside since their arrival three years ago. Freeman gained attention through hosting events, participating in community programs, and sharing her opinions online.

Freeman faced criticism when an anonymous email to the City Council took issue with her interactions with city staff and her social media posts. One post likened actions post-election to historical acts that dismantled education. Futrell received this complaint, which he passed on to Freeman, prompting her assertion of her free speech rights.

Over the next year, Freeman’s frequent social media activity continued. When she learned her actions had been labeled problematic in a city presentation, she defended herself in a detailed email to the Council.

The City Council’s response letter reprimanded Freeman for her actions and highlighted issues related to her husband’s employment, suggesting her conduct created pressure on city staff. She refuted these claims, acknowledging only a specific instance where she requested donations for a community project.

Amid these tensions, Freeman requested documentation regarding the Council’s accusations but later withdrew the request, feeling targeted by community members opposed to her online content. Despite this, records show anonymous accusations against both Freeman and a now-dismissed city official, Jennifer Lilley, who faced similar unverified claims about creating a toxic workplace.

The controversy impacted Futrell’s prospective position in Pasadena, where he was in consideration for a city manager role until Freeman’s dispute with Jason Hunter, a local activist and former city employee. When Hunter sued Riverside over an allegedly misleading ballot measure, Freeman publicly criticized him on social media, leading to further public scrutiny and the publication of the Council’s letter.

Ultimately, Futrell withdrew from the Pasadena opportunity, attributing the decision partly to the fallout from the controversy. He addressed a neighborhood group, recounting the implications of the letter shared with Pasadena officials.

The Riverside City Council recently evaluated Futrell’s performance again but has not yet taken decisive action, with Futrell asking for fair consideration of the full facts.