Posted on 06/23/2004 11:29:10 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
These pages have spent the past few months arguing that San Jose's ethics laws are lax. We've contended that they create a culture of permissiveness at City Hall.
Today, a Mercury News editorial page investigation reveals that council member Terry Gregory appears to have violated numerous state and local ethics laws, possibly including soliciting a bribe. And if he hasn't violated the letter of the law, he has made a mockery of the spirit of ethics regulations.
This is the story: In the Fall of 2003, the city of San Jose threw in the towel in its efforts to take over the Tropicana shopping center, owned primarily by businessman Dennis Fong. At the time, City Attorney Rick Doyle was wrangling with Fong's lawyers over the amount of fees the city owed to them and to Fong's consultants.
While those contentious negotiations took place, Gregory launched a one-man campaign to create a bold new plan to renovate the downtrodden eastside shopping center in San Jose. Gregory stood to gain political power and fund-raising ability while providing a genuine benefit to his constituents. But Fong says Gregory soaked him along the way.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
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