Grand Jury
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San Joaquin County Grand Jury |
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* * * F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E * * * San Joaquin County Grand Jury Releases 04-10-08 (Stockton, CA) –The San Joaquin County 2007-08 Civil Grand Jury released today its final reports on its investigations on alleged misconduct by the Mayor of Lathrop and alleged wrongdoing by the City of Ripon. Case # 03-07 alleged improprieties in the campaign contributions for the current Mayor of Lathrop. The complaint was non-specific in nature and implied that she, as a candidate for Mayor, took contributions from developers who may have been interested in the Lathrop area. After investigating the complaint including reviewing the Mayor’s contribution list, the Grand Jury “found no evidence of excessive campaign contributions” and determined the Mayor “is now and has been acting in a reasonable and ethical manner”. Case # 05-07 alleged wrongdoing by the City of Ripon in its bypassing of the formal bid process by awarding a 4th of July fireworks contract to a company with ties to city personnel. Further, the complaint alleged wrongdoing in the budgeting of monies for a skate park. After investigating the complaint including interviews with City officials and reviewing City Council minutes and City of Ripon Ordinance 544 § 1, 1995, the Grand Jury found “Section 3.20.070 of the Ordinance allows for the bidding process to be bypassed when the City Council determines the purchase of supplies, services or equipment using an alternative method would be in the best interests of the City”. Further, “the monies for the skate park were publicly discussed in the City Council meeting of July 17, 2007 and $400,000.00 was included in the budget”. The Grand Jury did recommend “the City Council needs to make every effort to address fully the questions and concerns of its citizens in the City Council meetings”. A copy of the Final Grand Jury Reports, along with responses thereto are on file with the Clerk of the Court. # # # * * * F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E * * * San Joaquin County Grand Jury Releases (Stockton, CA) –The San Joaquin County 2007-08 Civil Grand Jury released today its final report on its investigation on the alleged improprieties in the process for hiring of an Assistant Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, a newly-created exempt position. The 2007-08 Civil Grand Jury received citizen complaints in July and August, 2007 alleging that proper procedures were not followed and that the selectee was not qualified to fill the position, did not fill out an application, did not meet the application deadline, was not interviewed by the same interviewing panel, and was not among the top fourteen applicants. Following an extensive review of the hiring documentation and interviewing the screening and selecting officials, the Civil Grand Jury could “find no evidence of pre-selection for the selected candidate”. In addition, “the allegations of incorrect process are not true”. The hiring process used was “more extensive than usual and went well beyond anything required by San Joaquin County for an exempt position”. Further, it appears the complainants had a misunderstanding of “exempt” positions and the hiring process required”. Included in the Civil Grand Jury’s report were the recommendations that “future announcements for exempt positions contain an explanation of what an exempt position means” and, “some type of hiring guideline for exempt positions be written and approved by the County Board of Supervisors”. # # # 2006-2007 Grand Jury Final Report |
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