Chaos erupted at the latest Stockton City Council meeting over a discussion on allegations of the possible misuse of city funds and abuse of authority.
The council eventually voted to approve an investigation into allegations regarding Vice Mayor Jason Lee, as well as a review into the conduct of former interim City Manager Steve Colangelo.
The backstory: The city council had initially voted on Nov. 4 to hold a special meeting on Nov. 6 to look into claims that Vice Mayor Jason Lee made against Colangelo.
- Lee alleged that Colangelo promised to give around $824,000 to nonprofit Service First of Northern California– which was applying for over $8 million in state grant funding – without the approval of the city council.
- However, the council lacked a quorum on Nov. 6, which booted the special meeting to last Wednesday.
Flashback: Lee and Colangelo fought earlier this year over the Wild ‘N Out comedy show in Stockton that Lee performed in.
- Colangelo announced that his office was investigating $50,000 that the city used to support the show, but Lee claimed that the investigation was retaliatory and politically motivated.
State of play: The council started with the discussion regarding Colangelo and his alleged misconduct.
- The meeting quickly went off the rails during Councilman Brando Villapudua’s comments. Villapudua said Lee was attempting to defame and slander Colangelo. Lee made multiple point-of-order interjections throughout the meeting, with Villapudua saying Lee was “kicking and screaming and yelling” because of his own conflict.
- Lee questioned the relevance of Villapudua’s comments and then brought up an allegation that Villapudua sexually assaulted one of his own relatives.
- Villapudua said that allegation was out of order, and Mayor Christina Fugazi cut the microphones in response and called for a recess.
The big picture: Following the heated exchange and recess, the council came back and eventually voted 7-0 to refer the allegations surrounding Colangelo to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office, the San Joaquin County Grand Jury and the California Attorney General for review.
- The council then argued over Fugazi’s proposal to form a temporary ad hoc committee that would investigate how Lee has treated city staff and other councilmembers.
- The council voted 4-3 to form the committee, which will consist of Fugazi and Councilwoman Michele Padilla.
