An ad-hoc committee investigation has found that District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla violated a Stockton City Council policy when she used taxpayer funds for a community event where political candidates spoke onstage .
That means Padilla, who is nearly halfway through her first term, will face a censure hearing before the full city council on Nov. 12.
The Censure Ad-Hoc Committee — comprised of Mayor Kevin Lincoln, District 2 Councilmember Dan Wright, and District 4 Councilmember Susan Lenz — made the determination during the committee’s first and last meeting at city hall on Monday.
The ad-hoc committee was formed in August to investigate allegations that Padilla misused over $10,000 in discretionary funding to put on her annual community barbecue, which took place on July 20 at Michael Faklis Park .
Typically, councilmembers receive $15,000 in discretionary funds each year, while the mayor receives $60,000. Council Policy 5.10, the city council’s policy on discretionary funding, stipulates that the money be used for activities or events that are not political or religious in nature, have a community benefit, and do not provide any personal benefit to the councilmember requesting to use the money.