Ex-Pima Treasurer Paul Johnson wants $260k to settle claim that ‘conspiracy’ led to his resignation

Former Pima County Treasurer Brian Johnson has filed a notice of claim against Pima County, alleging that several administrators “exceeded their authority and used unlawful, coercive means” to force him out of office last month.

Johnson was facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace when he abruptly resigned effective June 15.

The claim filed Tuesday reiterates accusations Johnson made to the Tucson Sentinel in June that he and his girlfriend had a “relationship” with a female staffer, prompting the county administrator and assessor to conspire to oust him from office.

A notice of claim is a precursor to a lawsuit. Pima County has 60 days from the filing date to take action. Not responding is considered a denial and Johnson could then file a lawsuit.

Johnson is seeking $260,618.86 in damages that includes what he says would be his salary through the remainder of his elected term and the employer match for his retirement contribution.

Johnson, a Democrat, took office in January 2025, and his term would have ended Dec. 31, 2028.

According to Johnson’s three-page filing, “There is evidence pointing to a coordinated ‘meeting of the minds’ among specific administrative actors, County Administrator Jan Lesher, then Chief Deputy Treasurer Jake Martin, Megan Petersen, and others who exceeded their authority and used unlawful, coercive means to force me out…”

Johnson said he was not “officially informed” of the allegations against him until July 8, “from a public records request, after being released to media entities a week earlier who vilified my reputation publicly.”

Johnson said there is no evidence an investigation was undertaken to verify allegations made to the HR department June 2.

“I was not given an opportunity to respond to the specific allegations or an opportunity to secure representation” before Lesher “demanded my immediate resignation,” he wrote.

He called that resignation “legally involuntary.”

Lesher and County Assessor Suzanne Droubie denied any “conspiracy” in interviews with the Sentinel. Lesher said she told Johnson it would probably be in his “best interest” to resign.

According to documents obtained by the Tucson Sentinel in a public records request, HR emails contained “summaries of the account of at least one female staffer in his office, detailing a long series of events including Johnson and his girlfriend inviting the staffer to participate in their sexual relationship and attend sex parties.”

Another email said Johnson “sent links to sexually explicit writings and promoted his own sexually themed writings.”

Those were among many allegations, including one from a staffer who said Johnson “licked my face” after an apparently unwanted hug and attempt to kiss her on the mouth.

Another said she was afraid of Johnson because she couldn’t afford to lose her job.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday night to appoint Jorge Soto to finish Johnson’s term in office.