Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price’s Chief Assistant District Attorney, Otis Bruce Jr., has announced his resignation amidst allegations of misconduct. Bruce, who was one of the first individuals hired by Price to help reform the justice system in the East Bay, will officially step down on July 13.
Price commended Bruce’s dedication and tireless efforts in assisting her during her tenure as Alameda County’s top prosecutor. The announcement of his departure was made during a press conference where Price also revealed the establishment of two new divisions within her office. Additionally, she provided updates on an ongoing investigation into whether previous administrations intentionally excluded Black and Jewish individuals from juries in death penalty cases.
Bruce’s resignation comes after allegations of fostering a toxic workplace and sexually harassing colleagues surfaced during his time at the Marin County District Attorney’s Office. As the second-highest-ranking prosecutor there, Bruce faced accusations from at least eight deputy district attorneys of manipulating and intimidating fellow prosecutors, particularly young women. The allegations also included claims of gender bias and inappropriate remarks. Bruce was placed on administrative leave in September 2022 and retired from the office in December 2022, just before joining Price’s team.
A subsequent report, released in early 2023, found that Bruce had violated 17 personnel regulations over several years. The report, conducted by an external firm hired by Marin County, became public in July 2023. Price dismissed the 55-page document as false and criticized Marin officials for attempting to tarnish Bruce’s character publicly.
During the press conference, Price praised Bruce’s contributions and portrayed his resignation as an opportunity for long-time prosecutors within her office to advance. In an internal email to staff, she described him as a “tremendous” asset and an essential member of her transition team.
Following Bruce’s departure, prosecutor Evanthia Pappas will assume the role of head of Price’s prosecution division.
1 Response
In my own experience, I witnessed a similar situation unfold in a local government office. I used to work for a city council member who had a Chief of Staff that was highly regarded for his expertise and dedication. However, rumors started circulating about his alleged involvement in unethical practices.
As the allegations grew stronger, the local media began investigating the matter, putting pressure on the council member to address the situation. Eventually, the Chief of Staff decided to resign, citing personal reasons. However, it was clear to