Mike E. Gates is Too Douchey even for the Trump DOJ.

So, who are you gonna believe, who has more credibility: the Trump Department of Justice, specifically the (ironically dubbed) Civil Rights Division under Harmeet Dhillon, OR longtime former HB city attorney/demagogue Michael E. Gates? Tough one. In the land of liars, we start by reporting both sides, equip ourselves with a shaker of salt, and go with what feels right.

This – oh, in case you missed it – is regarding the question of whether Mike E. quit his job with the DOJ (as he claims) or whether he was “fired for cause” as forms signed by his boss Harmeet claim. It was a little jolting what a short time this ambitious cad lasted in what seemed to be his dream job – 10 months! Only ten months, since February, attacking voting and civil rights at the highest level! But at least it was longer than the six months Tito Ortiz managed to hang in there as a Huntington Beach Councilman. You could say Mike E. lasted 1.6 Titos.

By Mike’s own telling, he QUIT his dream job just like Tito did, because he couldn’t hack it, claiming now vaguely that the whole civil rights office was “dysfunctional” and “unprofessional.” And he wept, embroidering greatly on the “wanting to spend more time with my family” shtick, that “the months felt like years as I missed my family and their events, and missed being in the most beautiful city in the world.”

Reacting to the DOJ’s claim that no, he was FIRED for cause, Mike responds “They were angry I resigned, and I know this because it was well known throughout the office for months that anybody resigning would make them look bad. When other people resigned, they were so mad. I’ve seen it with my own eyes because they thought it would make them look bad.” (Sort of the reverse of “You can’t fire me, I quit!”)

But the DOJ, in a form signed by Mike’s formerly beloved boss Harmeet (whose butt he used to kiss ritually on social media) says they fired him “for cause.” And since it’s a personnel matter they won’t say why, but a DOJ source told the Register, Mike created “a hostile work environment for multiple women in the office,” consistently “referring to female colleagues by derogatory and demeaning names, and complained about the employment of a woman who was pregnant.“

Which those who’ve known Mike E. Gates over this decade he’s dominated Surf City say, in the jargon of that locale, “Checks out.” The papers mention how HB had to pay out $2.5 million in 2021 to two plaintiffs over Mike’s age and disability discrimination; not mentioned is the many complaints of women who had to work with or for him. And HB’s Democrat firebrand Gina Clayton Tarvin, who was once his friend and neighbor till she somehow incurred Mike’s ire, tells me:

“It’s no surprise to me that Michael Gates has been accused of harassing his female coworkers. Over the years, he has treated numerous women in Huntington Beach, including me, very poorly, using disparaging microaggressions, misogynistic language, and demeaning attacks to cover up for substandard work for HB residents. I believe the report that he created a hostile work environment at the DOJ. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

You think?

(Just the City Attorney taunting his recently divorced political opponent)

The truth will come out. Back in Huntington Beach, Mike E. has applied, and been accepted, to be his old assistant’s assistant until the next election when he’ll return in triumph to embarrass Surf City, and cost it more millions. But his job application, and eventually the reason for his firing, WILL be public record. Till then, you and I will have to sit here on this pier, watching the Clown Show go on. We could do worse.