San Diego, of all places, lately has acquired an unwanted image as Sin City. In mid July, Acting Mayor Michael Zucchet was forced out of office – his first day on the job. His predecessor, Dick Murphy, re-elected by a close margin last November, had just resigned over allegations of mismanagement of the deficit-ridden public employees’ pension fund. But these scandals, which appear to be heavily driven by zealotry of political opponents, may be masking a bigger problem: a longstanding old-boy network of local politicians and union bosses.
That would seem to be the case with Ralph Inzunza, recently suspended from his job as a San Diego City Council member. He and Zucchet (who also had been a council member), both 35, were convicted in a federal trial court this July on extortion and fraud charges. The case centered on the pair’s acceptance of $34,500 worth of bribes and illegal … Read More ➡