ESCONDIDO — The former Chief Executive Officer of the Escondido Chamber of Commerce is fighting back after allegations of financial mismanagement led to his ouster in October.
James Rowten strongly and emphatically denied the accusations stemming from an Oct. 6 story in North County Pipeline where several sources accused, and outlined, their concerns over the financial health and mismanagement of the chamber’s revenue, grants and more. Rowten, though, said the witch hunt is the result of several people on the Board of Directors and former staffers who did not like the direction the chamber was heading and the previous successes of its turnaround.
Rowten, also known as JR, said he still has not been officially notified of his firing and only the staff — all of whom were fired because of the fallout — were notified on Oct. 4. The Board of Directors held an emergency meeting and fired Rowten and three other employees.
“The attack by the new Chamber Board Chair on me and my character with allegations of embezzlement, non-disclosure of internal finances and salary inappropriateness are categorically false,” Rowten said.
Not all board members were in attendance for the meeting, according to sources who asked for anonymity due to potential reprisals.
