Final records from Paso Robles councilman show gaps at key points. Here’s a look

Of the nearly 4,500 records Paso Robles City Councilmember Chris Bausch finally turned over after a court order, the lone record of a key moment in the Ty Lewis conspiracy saga was a receipt for a muffin and coffee.

That’s the only new document in the final cache that addressed the infamous meeting at Angela’s Pastries among Lewis, Bausch and Mayor John Hamon.

That meeting also isn’t the only notable moment to show little or no conversation on what were clear topics of public debate over the seven months running from August 2024 to January of this year.

The records represent an assortment of communications between Bausch and a range of community members, including strategizing about the November election, lamenting about the quality of candidates and bad-mouthing Lewis and other elected officials.

But they also show gaps — absent communications at key moments or on significant issues — that leave more questions than answers.

There is only a brief discussion on Lewis filing his $2.2 million claim against the city citing workplace harassment. Nor is there much about the addendum letter he sent listing people he believed were conspiring against him.

Few comments were made about Ernest and Grace Hall, the cannabis business owners who said they witnessed conspiracy against Lewis — one text called Ernest Hall “lying” and “deceitful” and Bausch instructed in another to “downplay Hall for now” because “his day will come.”

And there are no emails about a Cal Coast News story on rumors Lewis attended “sex parties” that included a photo of him in a hot tub with someone who was labeled a “topless” woman. The woman — a former girlfriend — confirmed to The Tribune she was wearing a strapless bathing suit.

The documents do show Bausch’s consistent habit of using his private devices and accounts for city business, despite having received training to avoid that practice and writing in a February 2024 email that all communications pertaining to city matters should be sent to his official email address.

That practice and his refusal to release responsive records about city business were the basis for The Tribune’s various requests and ultimate lawsuit against Bausch and the city.

The majority of the records from Bausch’s personal devices were turned over by the city on June 16, after an initial release of 142 documents on June 6. They include emails, attachments and texts requested by The Tribune since it began investigating former city manager Lewis’ harassment claim in October 2024.

In total with the first release, Bausch turned over 5,407 emails and attachments to the city for review. Most, however, were duplicates, and that number was culled down to 972, of which 969 were released to The Tribune. It is impossible for The Tribune to decipher what three documents the city withheld and why because the city’s redaction log does not match the documents it disclosed.

The city also turned over 3,524 text messages to and from Bausch. No texts were withheld by the city.

The Tribune received the records after filing a lawsuit against Bausch and Paso Robles in March after the city said Bausch refused to comply with the Public Records Act unless ordered to do so by a court.

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Michael Kelley ordered Bausch to turn over records by May 15. If he could not produce records, his devices would have been searched by a third-party company. Bausch turned over records a day late on May 16.

Though the city only retained a handful of emails, Bausch himself withheld 127, claiming they were protected under attorney-client privilege.

When searching for records on personal devices, public officials themselves are the arbiter of what should be released under California law. There is no oversight other than the official’s word that they searched their devices thoroughly and did not withhold or delete records.

Despite the gaps, the records reviewed by The Tribune show Bausch and others who were accused of conspiring to oust Lewis and ruin his reputation had close relationships as they worked to flip the City Council while repeating criticisms and unfounded rumors about Lewis and other city elected officials.

The Tribune examined the full set of documents as part of its Reality Check series.

The meeting at Angela’s Pastries

The biggest void in the records regards the March 8, 2024, meeting at Angela’s Pastries, where Lewis and Hamon met with Bausch to discuss the councilman’s behavior and treatment toward city staff. Both Lewis and Hamon both confirmed Bausch demanded to record the meeting on his cell phone.

The meeting became a key point in Karen Velie’s Cal Coast News reporting, which later relied on an audio recording to maintain the gathering refuted Lewis’ claims of harassment.

Coincidentally or not, Velie, Republican Party District 1 chair Gary Lehrer, and paid parking opponent John Roush were also present at the bakery at the same time.

Lewis told The Tribune in October that Lehrer and Roush stared at him throughout the meeting, leading him to suspect it was some kind of setup by Bausch — a claim Velie has denied.

However, the only record from the date of the meeting was a $10.35 e-receipt for a muffin and drip coffee from the bakery.

No texts or emails were included about the meeting, leading up to it or immediately after. No communications address the recording that would later be leaked to Velie.

Velie has said that she happened to be in the shop at the same time as the meeting, but her story of how she overheard the conversation has changed several times.

First, she said she was at a nearby table and took notes for 30 minutes, then she said an audio recording confirmed her report, then she said she had never heard a recording, and finally, she said she actually taped the entire hour-long meeting herself.

She also posted two versions of what she said was the full recording of the meeting to Cal Coast News’ YouTube channel on Jan. 10. The first version, posted around 8 a.m., included an introduction by Bausch. That introduction was removed around 10 a.m.

A series of texts that same day show Lehrer was in some way involved in the process, as he messaged Bausch about the councilman’s introduction being included in the recording just before it was removed that morning.

At 10:08 a.m., Lehrer wrote, “You said it was a copy of a recording. You did not say you made the recording,” “I think you are good,” and “You did not say you were at Angela’s pastry (sic) on the header.”

At 10:09 a.m., he wrote, “There is no background noise a (sic).”

And at 10:10 a.m. he wrote “Your lawyer is wrong.”

Eleven minutes later at 10:21 a.m., Bausch replied, “You’re missing the point.”

And at 10:22 a.m. Lehrer wrote, “Ok just talked to someone. Will have it taken down and edited.”

Bausch initially withheld the recording, with the city denying The Tribune’s public records request for the audio file in October because they didn’t have it. When Cal Coast News posted an excerpt of the recording in December, the city reopened The Tribune’s request.

The full recording Bausch eventually released to the city was identical to the recording Cal Coast News posted, but Bausch’s released documents show no record of how the audio file was transmitted between him and Velie.

Bausch also claimed in one of his court filings that he did not send the recording to anyone aside from his attorney, but added that there was a reporter also at the cafe. No explanation has been given as to why the recording he turned over to the city is identical to the one posted by Cal Coast News.

Clive Pinder, the KVEC radio host who wrote a series of columns on the Lewis matter for the Paso Robles Daily News, previously said that Bausch told him he no longer had a copy of the recording because he got a new phone.

Then, on Oct. 7, text messages show Pinder asked Bausch whether the recording Velie cited in her article was in fact Bausch’s copy.

“Did she make a recording?” Bausch asked.

“My understanding from people who were also present is that the only recordings were made by you and that is what she is referring to,” Pinder wrote.

“Who would that be?” Bausch responded.

“You! Given that recording is no longer available it would be a little disingenuous of CalCoast to say they have relevant evidence unless there is another recording,” Pinder said.

“You know I can’t and won’t comment. Why don’t you call Karen and ask her directly?” Bausch said.

“I will, although if she or anyone else there was recording the meeting without permission or disclosure that would be at best inappropriate and at worst unlawful so I doubt she will be transparent,” Pinder said.

Velie claims the recording shows her March 21 article, which stated Bausch was chastised for using the word “staff” when describing agendized staff reports, was accurate. The recording revealed Lewis and Hamon asked Bausch to not attribute critical comments to “staff” but rather to the specific individuals who said them.

Lewis also asked Bausch to not repeat unfounded rumors about colleagues, staff and City Council issues and told him repeatedly that the goal of the meeting was to treat other councilmembers with respect so the council could be united, even if members had different opinions.

Councilmember asked reporter to review and edit statement to Tribune

The majority of Bausch’s communications with Velie are one-sided, records show, with Bausch typically reaching out to her, only to apparently receive no answer from Velie. Sometimes, he seemed to be responding to a previous conversation.

Many texts were in the manner of how a public official would communicate with a reporter, such as asking Velie to call him, sending statements, and sharing contact information and news tips.

On Aug. 20, for example, Bausch texted a photo of fellow Councilman Steve Gregory’s car with Idaho plates to Velie. Velie would later write a story on the question of Gregory’s car registration.

Other communications, however, show a closer relationship than would be expected between a reporter and a public official.

For example, an October email shows Velie reviewing and editing Bausch’s response to Hamon’s letter to the editor in the Paso Robles Daily News that condemned the “nefarious” plot to oust Lewis and November emails show Velie reviewing and editing Bausch’s statement to The Tribune for a story on Bausch’s history as a Paso Robles school board trustee.

Texts also show she helped coordinate a meeting between Bausch and Glenn O’Hagan on July 2 to talk about O’Hagan’s candidacy for City Council.

The following day, Bausch also texted Velie, “I hope you are a registered voter. You need to sign Glenn’s filing papers.”

O’Hagan was also accused by Lewis — and by two Paso Robles business owners — of taking part in the alleged conspiracy to oust the city manager from his position and ruin his reputation.

Emails also show Bausch flagging Velie that O’Hagan was not showing up on the election website.

According to a September email from Linda George, another alleged co-conspirator and former City Council candidate, Velie and she were “able to talk Glen (sic) out of sending” in an opinion piece titled “My attempted run for Paso Robles City Council and the Corruption that blocked it.”

The “quashed” opinion piece was included in a thread where Bausch sent a letter to the editor to the Paso Robles Daily News, but it is unclear where exactly O’Hagan intended to send his op-ed or why Velie and George talked him out of sending it.

Records dispute claim by former City Council candidate

The records show Bausch developed a friendly relationship with George as she competed for a seat on the council, often acting as a mentor.

However, in an October interview with The Tribune, George claimed she only met with Bausch one time to talk about her candidacy for Hamon’s empty City Council seat after Mayor Steve Martin died in September 2023.

“After that, I don’t talk to him. If I see him at a council meeting, I don’t even go up and say ‘hi.’ I haven’t really, honestly, said ‘hi’ to him until recently,” George said on Oct. 18. “He’s a professional acquaintance. I can’t explain it any more than that.”

But emails and text messages show a closer relationship, and George and Bausch were in regular contact beginning in July 2024.

George texted Bausch on July 8 saying that she will “100 (percent) stand down about Ty” and that she would take Bausch’s advice “for the sake of the city.”

Bausch suggested in a July 14 email that he, George, O’Hagan, Rivera, Lehrer and Velie attend a pancake breakfast organized by the Main Street Association together.

On July 17, Bausch suggested to George, “Candidates and their managers might want to comment on why the current council chooses to protect the city manager, legal counsel and paid parking advisors at the expense of tax paying voters.”

George responded, “Received and disseminated to the proper parties.”

“Choose your words wisely, sparingly. And please proofread, carefully,” Bausch replied.

Then, on July 23, Bausch sent several people, including George, an email gifting Jelly Roll tickets to the first person who responded. He introduced the email with “Hey friends.”

George ended up with the Jelly Roll tickets, and when she thanked Bausch the following day, he told her he was glad she had fun but that she now needed “to get busy on your campaign.”

Bausch also suggested edits to two of George’s opinion pieces for Cal Coast News, one in September and again in December, emails show.

Texts and emails show Bausch consistently directed George how to run her campaign and to get more educated on city issues.

In a September text, for example, George told Bausch she thought “Rivera was really blowing it” because he chastised the City Council instead of talking about issues at hand, to which Bausch replied, “Tread lightly. He represents his constituents that have already voted for him in the past.”

A September group chat also shows Bausch, George and Lehrer holding a meeting together, though it is unclear what the meeting was about.

George and Bausch continued to be in regular contact about both her campaign and Lewis’ allegations against them, emails and texts show.

Following her election loss, on Nov. 21, George wrote in a group chat with Bausch, Lehrer and Rivera that she was officially filing her claim against the city calling for Lewis’ termination.

She concluded with guidance to the group about how they should proceed going forward, urging they distance themselves from each other.

“Since I’ve already said I’m entering into litigation with the city. You and I don’t know each other until we are done,” she wrote. “It was nice being an acquaintance with you. I will not look at you or talk to you in public. We don’t know each other until I’m done. Love you all. I just really appreciate all of you guys. You guys are such wonderful people and good friends.”

“Ok lets delete this whole thread,” Lehrer responded.

Councilmember worked closely with local advocate on City Council campaigns

The alleged co-conspirator Bausch had the most contact with was Lehrer, according to the emails and texts reviewed by The Tribune.

The two began chatting in December 2023, according to the texts and emails, with Lehrer and Bausch regularly sharing their thoughts on other elected officials.

On Sept. 4, 2023, Lehrer wrote, “I told people that Steve Gregory has been compared to spawn of Satan. Randall agreed. He nodded his head!”

“Spawn hell!!! You should hear what Kevin Will calls him,” Bausch replied, adding a red devil emoji and a purple devil emoji.

Gregory is a fellow city councilmember, Randall Jordan is the chairman of the Republican Party of San Luis Obispo County and Will is the CEO and owner of KPRL.

Lehrer often acted as a sounding board for Bausch, with the Templeton resident regularly repeating rumors and talking badly about Lewis over text and email and alleging legal grounds Lewis had violated.

Bausch also helped Lehrer write a cease and desist letter against the city’s paid parking program.

Lehrer told The Tribune he was the campaign manager for Rivera and George, and the texts and emails do appear to support he had heavy involvement in both of their campaigns.

A July email also shows Lehrer informing Bausch that O’Hagan had a criminal record.

“I hear Glenn O’Hagan has a criminal record, had some of a run in with Ty Lewis and the police and is gay. This is going to be a problem,” Lehrer wrote.

O’Hagan’s most recent convictions were misdemeanor drug charges and violating a protective order related to children in 2020, but he has a record dating back to 1994 according to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court and San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s case database.

On Aug. 18, Lehrer and Bausch texted one another doubting George’s abilities to actually win a City Council seat, including the fact that several of her photos showed her having pink hair.

“This is going to be a clustermuck,” Lehrer texted Bausch. “She does not seem to understand the importance of the endorsement. And she resists my advice to study the budget. She talks about the homeless all the time. Yet she has no endorsements from the people who give a F@&$k.”

“She refuded (sic) to participate in the Trump train. Dont you think she could have gotten a lot of endorsements?” Lehrer continued.

“Hopefully those questions come up on Wednesday to highlight her lack of effort and seriousness. Chalk this year up to her learning curve. Kris Beal is being managed quite well, Roden not as well. Try Linda again in 2026?” Bausch responded.

“Or not,” he added in a separate message.

“No. By 2026 we’ll find a better candidate,” Lehrer responded.

Lehrer and Bausch also texted regularly about Lewis’ conspiracy claims against the two, claiming Lewis did not have legal grounds to file his claim and that the city was violating the law by protecting Lewis.

What documents did councilman withhold?

Although Bausch ultimately turned over thousands of public records from his personal devices and accounts, he did withhold a collection of 127 emails, claiming attorney-client privilege.

Those communications appear to be the most central to Lewis’ conspiracy claim, The Tribune’s lawsuit and Bausch’s defense that city-hired attorneys told him to not disclose records, according to his privilege log, which is a generalized tally of the records he refused to release.

The privilege log lists emails between Bausch and five different law firms, including the law firm that represents the city, BBK, as well as one email with Valentina Reiner, an attorney and investigator hired by BBK on behalf of the City Council.

Twelve have either PRA requests or alleged missing documents in the subject line, while others included emails between members of the media, including The Tribune and the Paso Robles Daily News, and Bausch and his attorney.

Email subject lines also discuss Lewis’ claim, his settlement, and attorney replacements for Bausch.

The log shows Bausch and Shawn Ridley, a civil trial lawyer, sent Bob Gundert, the attorney the city hired to represent Bausch in Lewis’ claim, an audio recording on Oct. 21. Gundert confirmed receipt of the audio recording on Oct. 24.

It is unclear from the email subject lines what recording was actually sent and whether it was the audio of the March 8, 2024, Angela’s Pastries meeting, but Bausch claimed in a previous legal document that he had sent that recording to his attorney.

The March 8 recording was mentioned specifically in the subject line of emails between Bausch and civil litigation attorney Michael Gibbs on Dec. 4 and Dec. 19.

A recording investigation was mentioned along with “Hull/Tribune’s litigation threat” on Dec. 30, and Bausch sent Gibbs an email with the subject line “Send recording” on Jan. 2.

Bausch also sent Gibbs an email with the subject line “Velie and Tribune” on Dec. 20.

Emails sent on Oct. 23 between Bausch, Gundert and Ridley mention “election tampering,” “nefarious conspirators,” “council being forced to settle,” “alleged Lewis conflict of interest,” election interference” and “self restraint.”

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the courthouse in Paso Robles.

This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM.

Chloe Jones

The Tribune

Chloe Jones is a former journalist for The Tribune