MID director unanimously censured after allegations of workplace violence
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- MID board censured Janice Keating after verifying allegations of staff abuse.
- Investigation confirmed verbal and physical misconduct from 2023 to 2025.
- Board imposed travel ban, committee removal, training, and apology requirement.
A Modesto Irrigation District director was censured in a unanimous vote Tuesday, for allegedly berating and throwing a clipboard at a staff member in a pattern of abuse said to have begun in 2023.
Janice Keating, director for Division 2 representing Modesto’s central district, was accused of a steadily escalating series of incidents against a staff member. Keating recused herself and left the room before the item was brought to the board.
Dana Ferreira, a regulatory analyst for MID, spoke during public comment. She said Keating had shown a pattern of abusive behavior toward her that started in 2023 with disparaging comments, then yelling at an Association of California of Water Agencies conference in Palm Desert and escalating to physical assault.
“Most recently, Director Keating cursed at me and threw a clipboard in my direction,” Ferreira said.
Ferreira said Keating became irate after her son was not provided a free $50 meal as part of a California Municipal Utilities Association Conference in Anaheim.
“I have growing concerns about accompanying Director Keating to any work-related events,” Ferreira said. “Her unpredictable behavior and emotional volatility create a stressful and uncertain work environment, which significantly affects my ability to perform my duties effectively and causes me considerable anxiety.”
The staff report was presented by Frank Splendorio, a lawyer for MID, who said a thorough independent investigation into the claims was conducted.
Chris Ott, director of Division 5, said his experience with Keating has been positive but he must trust the investigation. He made a motion to require Keating to take additional training, to provide a written apology and to restrict her travel for a year.
“It was a clear violation of the code of conduct and the workplace violence policy that we have in place,” Ott said. “I think it’s important, as the board, that we show the district and its employees that we have no tolerance for this kind of behavior.”
Larry Byrd, Division 1 director, started by apologizing to Ferreira on behalf of the board, stating he believed her to have a good reputation and is one of the best.
He said he wasn’t aware of the issues until Tuesday, but “it’s very bothersome to me that one of our employees [was] attacked.”
Byrd pushed for Keating to be further removed from her committee assignments for one year, and the motion was amended to include the additional restriction and passed in a 4-0 vote.
Last year, Keating lost a gender discrimination lawsuit against fellow director Robert Frobose, who represents Division 3, and was ordered to pay attorney fees as a result.
Keating did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 11:13 AM.
