Were Jefferson Wagner’s Charges Legit? Council Votes To Release Affidavit Soon
Written by 991KBU on December 1, 2021
It was after midnight this morning when the city council took up the Wagner Affidavit Investigative Report.
And by a unanimous vote … the council voted 5 to nothing to approve releasing the 100 thousand dollar investigation … done by a pair of attorneys brought in as independent researchers.
The affidavit was sworn out by Jefferson Wagner as he was leaving office … it alleged corruption and cronyism at city hall.
After midnight this morning … more than a dozen people spoke in favor of releasing the report.
Doug Stewart was one of them … last night he said the Wagner allegations were weak on facts to begin with … and the city deserves to know if there was any there … there … in the Wagner accusations.
NEWSCART 73899 AFF DOUG STEWART
“It didn’t have any documented evidence, just rumors and innuendos. And it really even contradicted the facts that were known to the public. And we had two attorneys two professionals that I am aware of, the city attorney and one of the district attorneys, looked at it and passed on it.
“So there really wasn’t anything here to talk about. But this became a burning issue for the city and now we have a report that the council needs to waive privilege on, and I would encourage you to do so.”
Stewart and others said the Wagner Affidavit was the major issue raised by Bruce Silverstein in his campaign to oust city manager Reva Feldman … a year ago.
How did the five council members vote???
Unanimously in favor of releasing it.
Mikke Pierson started.
NEWSCART 73898 AFF VOTE
PIERSON: “Whatever the report says we have to release it all. I mean … there’s … I can’t … warts and all … whatever … you know … anything like this, of course we do.”
GRISANTI: “Thank you. Steve I see your hand is raised … and then Karen?”
UHRING: “Yes I am going to vote to release it all.”FARRER: “I also agree. Option 4. Release everything.
GRISANTI: :”Bruce?”SILVERSTEIN: “I agree as well.”
GRISANTI: “OK….”
That’s a condensed version of the vote … and Mayor Paul Grisanti joined the unanimous vote.
There may be a few facts withheld … things like any social security numbers or other confidential data like that.
But no names will be withheld from the investigation.
City attorney John Cotti has been assigned to redact those minor details.
It’s not clear when the investigation will be posted on the city website.
