EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 23
March 27, 2025
Did San Bernardino Illegally Gift $800,000 to Former City Manager Candidate Steve Carrigan? Residents Say Yes
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SB County DA Jason Anderson Issues Statement Regarding Jehue Middle School Incident Pg. 3
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
City officials pictured during a San Bernardino City Council meeting as public scrutiny grows over the $800,000 settlement awarded to former city manager candidate Steve Carrigan.
By Manny Sandoval
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uring public comment at the March 19 San Bernardino City Council meeting, current and former public officials, residents, and community advocates raised serious concerns over a controversial $800,000 settlement paid to Steve Carrigan — the city’s onetime top candidate for city manager — calling the payout an illegal gift of public funds.
“This city has a history of illegally giving away public funds to people who are not entitled to them — as was done with the Steve Carrigan case,” said former Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin, who appeared in person at the meeting. “The city gave away $800,000 to Steve Carrigan. With those funds, how many streets could have been repaired? Maybe three or four. Or could those funds have been used to hire a veterinarian?”
Legality of Payment Calvin brought with her a document from the League of California Cities, referencing California Constitution Article XVI, Section 6, which prohibits the gift of public funds. Reading directly from the document at the podium, she stated:
Citing State Law: Calvin Questions
City Council cont. on next pg.
“The Legislature shall have no power to give or to lend, or to authorize the giving or lending, of the credit of the State… nor
City Clerk Genoveva Rocha Exits Amid Scrutiny Over Agenda Errors, Replaced by Telicia Lopez By Manny Sandoval
C
ity Clerk Genoveva Rocha is set to depart San Bernardino, marking another high-profile exit from City Hall as the city grapples with ongoing leadership instability. Rocha, who has served as city clerk since August 2020, has accepted a position with the City of Vernon in Los Angeles County.
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At the March 19 San Bernardino City Council meeting, (BB&K) City Attorney Albert Maldonado confirmed Rocha’s departure and announced that Chief Deputy City Clerk Telicia Lopez will step in as acting city clerk effective April 5, coinciding with Rocha’s final day in office.
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PHOTO CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino City Clerk Genoveva Rocha, who has served since 2020, is set to depart amid leadership changes and scrutiny over agenda errors. She has accepted a position with the City of Vernon.
“There was a motion from Councilman Shorett and a second by Councilwoman Knaus, and a unanimous vote to appoint Telicia Lopez as acting
city clerk,” Maldonado stated, emphasizing the council’s swift action to fill the vacancy. Lopez Appointed Acting City Clerk Lopez, a longtime city employee, has worked for San Bernardino since September 2005 and currently serves as Chief Deputy City Clerk. Before assuming her current role, she was the Business Registration Manager, overseeing regulatory processes for local businesses. In 2023, Lopez earned $100,900 in base pay, with total compensation, including benefits, reaching $166,208. For comparison, Rocha’s salary in 2023 was $141,515, with total compensation of $221,439. Mayor Helen Tran acknowledged Lopez’s appointment during the meeting, thanking her for stepping up amid chalCity Clerk cont. next pg.