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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Macari confirmation hearing continues on April 21st.

Requesting that the Senate Staff undertake a review of the public records regarding the personal qualifications of gubernatorial nominee Emir Macari, the Senate Rules Committee on April 9 delayed a vote on his confirmation to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission.


Given the opportunity, Macari explained why he "walked away" from his former position as Dean.

After hearing Macari's testimony regarding earthquake related policy issues, the Committee endorsed him as qualified with respect to his geotechnical expertise.

Testimony from opponents to the nomination gave the Committee reason to pause and the matter was continued until Monday April 21, 2014.

Offered an opportunity to respond, Macari began by stating: "I have nothing to hide."




His testimony describes how he handled engineering Professor Miroslav Markovic in advance of a lawsuit that was filed against the University. A CSU Sacramento investigation determined that Markovic had threatened to shoot three people and had created a hostile workplace. Sexual harassment allegations against Markovic were formally investigated, but could not be sustained based on the available evidence relative to the University's standard of proof. 


In an earlier (
January 11, 2011) recorded statement to a CSUS investigator, Macari stated:
"Cici had informed me that she was going to sue the University ... I told people that she had, in my view, she had ample right on two issues ... 
"One,  the issue with Markovic and what he had done around here, especially with the sexual harassment of students."
In a followup question, Senator Steinberg asked why he left as Dean of the College.




Macari explained "I'm at the pleasure of the President" and:
"the President wanted me to do certain things that I didn't think were in my best interest, and I walked away from the position."

The entire video is at the California Senate webpage.


More from the Sacramento State Hornet:  "Former engineering dean says he resigned from position."