City Council wants Valdivia’s use of public funds investigated
San Bernardino leaders have unanimously agreed to refer the alleged misuse of public funds by Mayor John Valdivia to the appropriate administrative and law enforcement authorities.
The City Council on Tuesday also directed City
Manager Rob Field to try to cancel a VIP reception scheduled to follow Valdivia’s virtual State of the City address later in the evening.
Furthermore, elected officials directed City Attorney Sonia Carvalho to take legal action to recover the alleged illegal expenditures if Valdivia does not respond to the city’s demand for reimbursement within 30 days.
Lastly, the seven-member council directed Carvalho to work with Field to engage an independent investigator to audit all expenditures and reimbursements from the mayor’s office since January 2019.
The announcement was made following a special closed session meeting of the City Council Tuesday after nearly two dozen San Bernardino residents accused Valdivia of misusing public funds to plan the post-State of the City VIP reception.
Valdivia said Monday the event is “for residents and stakeholders” and “is to thank and encourage local residents, community leaders and businesses for their involvement in helping to build a brighter future for our city.”
“Regional stakeholders vital to San Bernardino’s future success have also been invited.”
Valdivia asserted there was no “personal gain” in the event.
In a text message late Tuesday, City Hall watchdog Treasure Ortiz, who brought Valdivia’s alleged misuse of public funds to the council’s attention last week, said she was at Hilltop and the reception was going on.
“We were asked to leave the property by the owner,” she said via text, because “this is a private event.”
City officials could not be reached late Tuesday to confirm if the event continued as planned, however.