Amid recent reports and allegations of official misconduct, San
Benito County Supervisor Chairman Richard Scagliotti has missed
three consecutive board meetings
– two regular scheduled meetings and one special meeting.
At the past two meetings, attorney Michael Pekin, Autoworks
owner Don Kelley and attorney Harry Damkar, representing San Benito
Tire owner Bob Cain, spoke about allegations that directly concern
Scagliotti.
Amid recent reports and allegations of official misconduct, San Benito County Supervisor Chairman Richard Scagliotti has missed three consecutive board meetings – two regular scheduled meetings and one special meeting.
At the past two meetings, attorney Michael Pekin, Autoworks owner Don Kelley and attorney Harry Damkar, representing San Benito Tire owner Bob Cain, spoke about allegations that directly concern Scagliotti.
However, Scagliotti wasn’t present at either.
Scagliotti, 50, has had a flawless meeting record from the start of the year until recently.
Scagliotti, a local land developer, declined comment when reached at his office in Hollister this morning.
“In my judgment, yes it’s unusual,” Supervisor Reb Monaco said. “They are the only meetings he’s missed. I wouldn’t even want to speculate why.”
Supervisors Ruth Kesler and Pat Loe also agreed Scagliotti’s missing meetings are unusual, but weren’t sure as to why he’s been absent, they said.
“Maybe he’s sick, I don’t know,” Kesler said.
“I think he’s had business out of town,” Loe said.
With investigative reports into an alleged conflict of interest of Scagliotti’s business dealings and his position on the Board of Supervisors, it is an interesting time to be absent from meetings where direct testimony about these issues is being heard, said Michael Pekin.
Pekin is the attorney for the anonymous group Los Valientes, which has commissioned a series of investigative reports alleging county corruption, some involving Scagliotti.
“There’s no doubt that Scagliotti is more withdrawn from the public eye,” Pekin said. “Now he’s got people out in front of him to deflect public scrutiny of his conduct.”
Missing two regular scheduled meetings isn’t something that should be of much importance to anyone, said Supervisor Bob Cruz.
“Wow. Two missed meetings,” Cruz said. “Do you think the public really cares about two missed meetings? He hasn’t really missed any meetings at all. You need to do your homework.”
When Scagliotti is absent, Cruz steps in as the vice-chairman and feels he does a perfectly adequate job running them, he said.
“What am I? Chopped liver?” Cruz said.
The chairman serves more of a function than simply running the meetings and it is important they be there as much as possible, said City Councilman Tony Bruscia.
Bruscia is running for District 1 supervisor next November – the position Scagliotti is retiring from.
“It’s tough to have a job and serve the community,” Bruscia said. “But obviously it’s important to make meetings whenever possible.”
When a Board member is absent it ultimately does have an effect on any given meeting, Monaco said.
“People in his district aren’t represented on the Board,” Monaco said. “But as far as efficiency, Bob Cruz steps right in.”
All Board members are expected to attend special meetings along with regular scheduled meetings unless there is a dire emergency, Monaco said.
Monaco missed one meeting because he had to be out of town, but the Board compensated with a conference call for that meeting, he said.
During this volatile time the public should be able to address their questions directly to Scagliotti about his conduct and have them answered, Pekin said.
“The Board has now circled the wagons to protect Scagliotti’s position with San Benito Tire, and Scagliotti is not showing up to hear discussion on the emergency he’s created,” Pekin said. “It’s becoming bizarre.”
Kesler has missed two meetings, Loe has missed two, Monaco has missed one and Cruz has been present for all of them since January, according to county documents.
