Overview

• Presiding Officer Brett Carlson ruled the incident a “moment of carelessness or error in judgment” rather than an intentional violation
• The complaint originated from a former deputy chief’s accusation that Mehdizadeh violated a public health order by taking a chaplain to lunch in March 2021
• An agreed statement of facts confirmed that both Mehdizadeh and the chaplain wore masks and maintained social distance throughout the meal
• Mehdizadeh apologized at the hearing and has since accused the former deputy chief of filing multiple complaints some deemed frivolous and vexatious
• The decision highlights the scrutiny faced by public officials over COVID-19 restrictions and the role of oversight bodies in disciplinary matters