An investigation into a diversion of funds from Stockton’s diversity, equity and inclusion program transformed this week into an issue of whether the City Council can trust is own members to conduct a fair examination into the matter.
On one hand, the city would save bundles of money by using either its own committee or the full council body. On the other, turning councilmembers into investigators raises questions of whether politics or biases could worm their way into the process.
In the end, the council decided Tuesday night the matter should be referred to its three-member Audit Committee, chaired by the member who cares most about the DEI issue: Vice Mayor Jason Lee…