Oxnard Pulls Plug On Perks

The Ventura County District Attorney wrapped up a two year, “Public Integrity Investigation, ” into the city of Oxnard last month.And this month the findings led to action at Oxnard City Hall.City Council Members voted to suspend monthly 300 dollar perks approved by suspended City Manager Ed Sotelo.Sotelo called them supplemental retirement benefits.For years Sotelo and other top officials received them without council approval.Sotelo was directed to handle official salaries but lawyers question his authority on this matter.The council suspended Sotelo several months ago.There is no evidence that recipients knew anything was wrong with the benefit.Council member Bryan MacDonald says the council might have approved the benefit had they seen it years ago.Now he says they are putting a stop to the perks that came from the general fund.The idea is to move forward and be more transparent.