Hearst Castle supervisor put on administrative leave after Lady Gaga shoot
Lady Gaga prompted tens of thousands of social media postings when she paid a visit to the Central Coast recently to shoot a music video at Hearst Castle. Her visit also may have landed one state employee at the castle in some hot water.
Multiple sources tell KSBY Nick Franco, the State Parks District Superintendent who approved the Lady Gaga visit and video shoot at the Castle, was put on paid administrative leave the final day of the shoot. KSBY sources say the suspension is "until further notice." Contacted at home, Franco referred all questions to the Public Affairs Office in Sacramento. Spokesperson Vicki Waters declined to comment, saying because it was "a pending and ongoing personnel situation," she couldn't.
Lady Gaga donated $250,000 to the Hearst Castle Preservation Board, paid about $22,000 in state permit fees, all state costs associated with the shoot, and donated $25,000 to the Cambria Community Services District for water sources exploration in San Simeon. She also committed to do public service announcements regarding California's drought and to promote Hearst Castle through separate video projects.
While no one has confirmed Franco's leave is because of the Gaga shoot, the timing has left people connecting the dots. "I don't know first-hand anything about this action," said Steve Hearst. "It is sure spreading like wildfire, though, and it seems as if it's being tied to something very good for the castle and the community." Hearst said he has worked with Franco a lot over the last dozen or so years and seen him as "a very dedicated state employee who had continually made good decisions that are in the best interest of the Castle and that's what he did in this case."
Hearst said if it was tied to the Gaga project, it would be unfortunate. "While Nick filled out the paperwork, the Hearst Corporation could be the only one to approve this project," Hearst said. "Specifically me." Hearst said the agreement with Lady Gaga allowed a generous donation that will allow preservation of the castle, and didn't involve any net loss of water. "I told them if there was, I would donate it," said Hearst.
http://www.ksby.com/news/hearst-cast...dy-gaga-shoot/
