SD City Attorney Suspends Two City Councilmen from Office
by James L. Lambert
July 19, 2005
(AgapePress) - In his first day as interim mayor of San Diego, Michael Zucchet was greeted with unwelcome news: he was found guilty of conspiracy, extortion, and fraud. As it did with Zucchet, the federal jury found fellow city councilman Ralph Inzunza guilty of taking payoffs from a strip club.NBCSanDiego.com reports that both Zucchet and Inzunza were found guilty of accepting cash bribes and campaign contributions from strip club owner Michael Galardi in a failed plot to repeal the city's "no-touch" ordinance at adult clubs, an ordinance that restricts nude dancers in San Diego strip clubs from coming within six feet of their patrons. According to U.S. Attorney Carol Lam, "the fraud scheme involved Inzunza's and Zucchet's acceptance of money in exchange for their agreement to assist [Lance] Malone [a representative for Galardi] in repealing the 'no touch' provision of the San Diego Adult Entertainment Ordinance."
The now defunct group Citizens for Community Values-San Diego worked diligently to get the ordinance enforced by members of the San Diego Police Department. The law was generally considered by strip club owners and the adult entertainment industry to be a nuisance, depriving their clubs and workers of tips and extra income.
Following the verdicts on Monday afternoon (July 18), both Zucchet and Inzunza were suspended from their council duties by San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre. The city attorney cited California Government Code #1770.2 in rendering the suspension of the two San Diego City Council members that will become effective immediately.
In a statement issued Monday, Aguirre said that Inzunza and Zucchet "were found guilty of the felony charges brought against them. Because of the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Government Code ... they are immediately suspended from office and will automatically forfeit their office as soon as judgment is entered."
Suspension, according to Aguire, includes losing compensation, benefits rights, and the exercise of powers of office and the rights to be seated in office. Aguirre has asked the remaining members of the city council to remove the two men from their positions if they refuse to resign. Sentencing is scheduled for November 9.
The two council members' convictions come while the City of San Diego is awash in scandal. The city is already reeling from a federal investigation of its city employee pension fund. And Mayor Dick Murphy resigned and left office on Friday. Most observers agree Monday's convictions will further destabilize the city government.
James L. Lambert, a frequent contributor to AgapePress, is the author of Porn in America (Huntington House), which can be purchased through the American Family Association. He is a licensed real-estate mortgage loan sales agent and can be contacted through his website.
