LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The day after the Middletown Unified School Board voted to accept the resignation of its superintendent, detectives served a search warrant on an individual who is suspected of having recorded a conversation with that school official without his knowledge.
Tim Gill submitted his resignation as superintendent of Middletown Unified on Monday, with Tuesday being his last day, as Lake County News has reported.
On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that it had become aware on Tuesday of an incident involving a parent upset about a school policy who allegedly recorded a private conversation between themselves and the school superintendent without the superintendent’s consent.
Lauren Berlinn, the sheriff’s public information officer, confirmed to Lake County News that the situation involved Middletown Unified.
Authorities said an investigation was initiated and resulted in the issuance of a search warrant that was served on Wednesday.
“Pursuant to the search warrant, several items were seized and will be examined to determine whether or not a crime has been committed,” the sheriff’s office said.
Under California law, “eavesdropping” — recording someone without their knowledge — is illegal, with exceptions for law enforcement investigations.
California Penal Code Section 632, which is part of the Invasion of Privacy Act, states: “A person who, intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, uses an electronic amplifying or recording device to eavesdrop upon or record the confidential communication, whether the communication is carried on among the parties in the presence of one another or by means of a telegraph, telephone, or other device, except a radio, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per violation, or imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment.”
Convictions for previous violations can result in a fine of up to $10,000 per violation, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison, or by both that fine and imprisonment, the Penal Code states.
Such cases may be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.
Gill, a veteran educator, had been with the district for only four months when he abruptly resigned this week.
At a special Tuesday night meeting — during which the Middletown Unified School Board voted to accept his resignation — community members and teachers were unanimous in lamenting his departure and lauding him for his work with the district.
While Gill has so far declined to explain why he left his job, speakers at the Tuesday night meeting attributed his resignation to a politically charged, divided and at times abusive environment that has developed in the district, focused primarily on mandates related to COVID-19.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, and, “as with any allegation of criminal activity, there is always a presumption of innocence until proven guilty.”
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Nate Newton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-262-4200.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Sheriff’s office investigating allegation of illegal recording of Middletown school superintendent
- Elizabeth Larson
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