Civil rights activist calls on Del Mar Fairgrounds to address ‘diversity deficit’ following employee lawsuit

Civil rights activist Shane Harris called for reforms at the Del Mar Fairgrounds during a Nov. 17 news conference in response to a lawsuit filed by a fairgrounds employee alleging whistleblower retaliation, harassment and discrimination based on race from top fairgrounds officials.

The lawsuit was filed two months ago in San Diego County Superior Court by Melinda Carmichael against the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which operates the state-owned fairgrounds.

Carmichael, who is still employed by the 22nd DAA, was first hired in 2019 as human resources director. In 2021, she became chief administrative officer, reporting directly to CEO Carlene Moore, according to court documents.

Her lawsuit alleges that she told Moore that there had been “specific instances of discriminatory remarks and violations of employment regulations,” but she faced retaliation including a reduction in job responsibilities.

Representing the 22nd DAA, the state attorney general’s office filed a response in October denying that there had been any wrongdoing. Fairgrounds spokesperson Tristan Hallman added that “the 22nd DAA disputes the allegations made in the complaint and will be prepared to defend against them in court.”

Carmichael’s complaint alleges that there were “multiple employees” who submitted complaints to the 22nd DAA in 2022 about the human resources director at the time, Leslie Schutz, for reasons such as “racially charged remarks, payroll irregularities, denial of due process, and mishandling of leaves and complaints.”

Hallman declined comment on those complaints or their status.

Harris, who is from Southeast San Diego and advocates through his Office of San Diego Public Advocate Shane Harris platform, spoke Monday morning at the main entrance of the fairgrounds. He said he thinks the lawsuit is part of a larger pattern at the Del Mar Fairgrounds that he calls the “diversity deficit.”

“This lawsuit did not shock me,” he said. “It confirmed what I have observed personally at this fairground for many, many years attending events, meeting staff and reviewing leadership.”

He added that he plans to address fair board members during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Nov. 18 about racial disparities within the 22nd DAA’s workforce and the agency’s practices for contracting with vendors, as well as concerns about a lack of diversity in its outreach process as fairgrounds officials develop a long-term master plan for the property.

In response, Hallman said one of the guiding principles for the master planning process mentions “broad countywide community outreach and input process would be foundational,” and that fairgrounds officials have been holding workshops throughout the county to gather public input.

Harris praised Gov. Gavin Newsom for prioritizing diversity in his appointments to the nine-member fair board, but said diversity at the board level “means nothing if the administration beneath it refuses to change.”