Councilmembers behaving badly

The case for curtailing East Bay officials' attendance at government conferences; 'I am honestly worried': San Leandro official was concerned about retaliation days after the alleged battery

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—The news last week that San Leandro Councilmember Xouhoa Bowen was the victim of unwanted advances by a Central Valley elected official at a conference in Tampa, Fla. again raises questions about what exactly goes on at these events and should taxpayers be funding these activities?

Bowen named Daniel Parra, a Central Valley councilmmeber from Fowler, as the individual who assaulted her at a National League of Cities conference on Nov. 13. Parra made a sexually suggestive comment about Bowen’s appearance and kissed her on the lips, according to a police report. Video surveillance captured the incident.

San Leandro councilmember was assaulted last year at National League of Cities event

Police body-cam video shows Alameda councilmember drunk and disoriented

Rumors of councilmembers behaving badly on the taxpayers dime are often heard.

In October, at a League of California Cities conference in Long Beach, Calif., then-Alameda Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer was found by local police passed out on the sidewalk in front of a bar.

Stories of late-night carousing is common. Last year, a bleary-eyed San Leandro councilmember attended an early morning meet-and-greet with President Joe Biden at a National League of Cities event in Washington, D.C. after a long night of drinking, according to two people who attended the conference.

The problem also lies with the organizers of these events, which are intended to offer elected officials informational seminars and networking opportunities.

But the presence of hospitality rooms, where elected officials are plied with free alcohol and food, appears to suggest the outing is more of a hedonistic affair, rather than work on behalf of their constituents.

San Leandro officials, in particular, have created a culture in recent years that highlights attendance to these conventions and so-called “personal development” seminars. A $10,000 travel allowance to each San Leandro councilmember encourages extracurricular activities.

—Two weeks, an eyebrow-raising five of the seven San Leandro councilmembers attended the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C. It’s questionable why a supermajority of the city council needed to attend. Each official acknowledged during public comment last week that they attended the same seminars.

Furthermore, San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s attendance at the National League of Cities event two weeks ago is highly problematic.

In January, Azevedo’s home was searched by FBI agents. A federal subpoena asked the city of San Leandro for documents related to Azevedo’s 2023 trip to Vietnam that was hosted by a group funded by members of the Duong family, the Oakland recyclers, two of which, were indicted in January.

Tales of rockstar-like debauchery and depravity has been linked to the business trip to Vietnam since the large contingent of local officials returned to the East Bay.

—More inside:

• Backstory to latest San Leandro controversy

• Elected official accused of battery is facing fallout; those who know him express surprise about the allegation.

• FPPC is investigating Livermore councilmember for conflict of interest.

• SKRT! Oakland councilmember said he should have ran for mayor.

• Plans for new firehouses in unincorporated Alameda County are criticized for using bond money for public art.

• Campaign finance data for Monday.

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