Oxnard City Hall raided by federal, local agents over possible misuse of public money
A raid of Oxnard City Hall by FBI agents and Ventura County investigators concerns the potential misuse of public money involving city contracts, said Dist. Atty. Gregory Totten.
The probe does not involve the inflated salaries and pension-spiking issues that have been raised in Bell, Totten said. Instead, investigators are focusing on possible misappropriation of public dollars involving public works and other city projects, and potential conflicts of interest, he said in a statement released late Monday.
"It involves other important matters of public trust,'' Totten said in the statement. "The District Attorney's Office and the FBI are engaged in a thorough and conscientious search for the truth and are confident that we will get to the bottom of this."
Totten said he could not reveal details of the probe. But Oxnard sources said it may have been triggered by allegations of misspending on a massive city water project partly funded by the federal government.
A $250-million project known as GREAT -- the Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment program -- has been publicly criticized for cost overruns and spending more than $20,000 in city funds on a grand-opening party.
In his statement, Totten said those informal requests for documents "proved ineffective," prompting the Friday raid on city offices.
-- Catherine Saillant in Ventura County
EDITOR'S PICKS:
When will they raid Mountain view,sunyvale,Palo Alto,Menlo Park,councils in SF Bay area? Most cities and towns are run by crooks and they are all stealing property tax moey by paying themselves excessive salaries,pensions,travel expenses,car leases and overtime pay.
Posted by: kanank | August 17, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Did anyone hear the creaking of Pandora's box?
lol
Posted by: Tee | August 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
They spent "more than $20,000 in city funds on a grand-opening party."
It's a mindset which likely requires electroshock therapy.
The very idea of spending any PUBLIC funds (much less $20K) on a "party" to start a ground water recovery and treatment program is twisted and sick.
These folks have forgotten what public trust means, and absolutely should NEVER be entrusted with other people's money.
Posted by: J. Nash | August 17, 2010 at 12:17 PM
When will they look into the school administration and union pensions, expense accounts, salaries, etc?
Posted by: thecanimalshusband | August 17, 2010 at 02:57 PM
What?! It can't be. Oxnard's council-members CAN'T be corrupt!
They are almost entirely all white!
Posted by: Fundiphobic | August 17, 2010 at 05:52 PM