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Pasadena public health director resigns after controversial sermons surface

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR HEALTHY STORES FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY - Public Health Director and Health Officer for the City of Pasadena Public Health Department Dr. Eric G. Walsh speaks at a press conference for the Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community campaign at the Euclid Market in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Four Southern California Health Departments released new data today on alcohol, tobacco, and junk food marketing to kids in stores available at www.healthystoreshealthycommunity.com. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community /AP Images)
The City of Pasadena's public health director Eric Walsh has resigned amid controversy over sermons he gave, in which he criticized homosexuality.
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City of Pasadena public health director Eric Walsh has resigned amid controversy over sermons he gave, in which he criticized homosexuality.

Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist preacher, had been placed on temporary paid leave two weeks ago after city officials discovered online videos of his sermons. He recently also withdrew from a commencement speaking engagement at Pasadena City College after students publicized the videos.

"As the city manager indicated in a statement the other day, we do wish Dr. Walsh all the success that he might have in the future," City of Pasadena spokesman William Boyer told KPCC. He would not elaborate further on Walsh's departure.

Boyer says the city will launch a nationwide search for Walsh's replacement.

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The Georgia Department of Public Health tells KPCC they have offered Walsh a job. The offer is contingent on the result of a background and credential investigation.  Walsh reportedly didn't tell the Georgia officials about the controversial videos when he interviewed for the job.

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