SUPERVISORS HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING, CALL FOR FLETCHER’S IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION

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By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2023 (San Diego) – During a special meeting convened today,  San Diego County Supervisors passed a vote of no confidence and approved a letter calling on disgraced Supervisor Nathan Fletcher to resign immediately. The vote was 4-0, with Fletcher absent while undergoing treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and alcohol abuse.

On March 29, Fletcher announced his resignation effective May 15, after an MTS employee went public with allegations that Fletcher sexually assaulted and harassed her when he was MTS chair. Fletcher, who is married with children, has denied those allegations but said he had a “consensual” relationship. The woman, Grecia Figueroa, has denied this and filed a lawsuit against Fletcher and MTS. Fletcher has resigned as MTS chair and dropped his campaign for the State Senate.

Nora Vargas, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, said before the vote, “"My priority is ensuring that we are able to serve the people of San Diego” noting that Fletcher has been absent for the past two weeks and hasn't answered the troubling allegations against him. "We encourage him to resign immediately so he (can) focus solely on his treatment, and the people of San Diego can move forward with the representation they deserve."

The board does not have the power to remove an elected Supervisor from office, but Supervisors hope the action will put pressure on Fletcher to resign immediately.

The letter approved by the board states in part,”By his own statements, Supervisor Fletcher has demonstrated he has not upheld the principles of integrity expected in his position as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. As a County we pride ourselves in having a Code of Ethics and robust workplace standards of conduct which should be honored and respected by all, regardless of position.

At the board’s next meeting on May 2, Supervisors are expected to discuss options for replacing Fletcher. The seat could be filled by appointment or by special election. While the seat remains vacant, the board is split politically, with two Republicans and two Democrats.



 

 


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