At the July 7, 2009 Tustin City Council meeting, Treasurer George W. Jeffries stated that investment decisions were made in a way to possibly influence the upcoming city council election in November 2008. A Tustin Audit Commission Report dated February 19, 2009, states:
"For deposits into the Orange County Investment Pool, we initially had a $5 million authorization. The Treasurer proposed to the City Council to put in a million dollars or two and move it up gradually, and it was in there until last election season. It was taken out so as to not become an issue in the campaign, and the time to put it back is here."
Treasurer Jeffries reiterated this position during the July 7, 2009 City Council meeting.
The strategy of moving money out of an investment to "not become an issue in the campaign" could potentially benefit an incumbent running for council. During the November 2008 election, then Mayor Jerry Amante was running as an incumbent for a city council seat.
Tustin needs to be watched very carefully. Please keep an eye on what Tustin City Council is doing - how is money being spent, who gets contracts, what projects are brought forward, which vendors get contracts. Good citizens pay attention to their government. Tustin needs our attention.
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