Elk Grove mayor faces censure vote over allegations he pressured former campaign manager
Elk Grove Mayor Steve Ly could be formally reprimanded by colleagues on the City Council over an allegation that he used surrogates to pressure his former campaign manager into removing a critical post from Facebook last month.
The episode unleashed a wave of other complaints from past political opponents, colleagues and allies who also alleged past mistreatment by Ly that extended beyond his time as the leader of the city.
Local lawmakers addressed the claims for the first time during a regular meeting Wednesday night and will consider censuring Ly at its next meeting. They voted 4-1 to place the item on the agenda as an action item, which allows the censure decision to be put to a vote.
The formal show of disapproval would not strip Ly of any power but would come as he seeks a third term as mayor.
The series of allegations has loomed over politics in the suburban city and played out in a number of local blogs where three elected officials, all of them women, described incidents in which they’ve been targeted by supporters of the mayor.
Councilmember Stephanie Nguyen, who raised the discussion of Ly being reprimanded, said the statements had become difficult to read about. Nguyen said that she’d received more than 30 letters asking about a censure, and didn’t think it would go far enough to chastise Ly.
“It doesn’t resolve anything other than saying we believe you did something wrong. If we want to resolve anything we need actions that are measurable, action items that show an individual is showing ways to change or improve.”
Nguyen said a censure is essentially a stern condemnation of the act but does not require anything more. She suggested the Council consider asking Ly to write a formal letter of apology to his accusers, take classes on harassment and bullying, and to pull together clan leaders for a forum to educate the community. She also suggested Ly report back to the City Council on progress.
“As a Vietnamese-American woman raised in a traditional Asian household I know that these bullying tactics and silencing of women exist but they also exist in all cultures,” Nguyen said.
Backlash over Facebook post
The scandal dates back to early June when Ly authored a flawed Facebook post on that was critical of protesters who he believed was responsible for the suspected arson of a south Sacramento auto shop burning down. They were not to blame, and Ly promptly deleted the post.
However, his critics continued posting screenshots and denouncing him for the brash statement, including his former campaign manager Linda Vue.
Vue later wrote on Facebook that she had been contacted by someone claiming to be a representative of a Hmong clan who asked her to remove the post. In an interview with The Bee, she said the clan system is known for being male-dominated and that it wasn’t appropriate for them to intervene because Ly is a public official.
Ly appeared open to Nguyen’s suggestion but refuted he was at fault for all the allegations. He said some of the statements were politically motivated since some of the women were once adversaries. He also said the complaints were not very specific.
“I do appreciate the request for self-improvement and the suggestion that you put forward. I know that you come from a place of love and sincerity and I truly do appreciate that,” Ly said. “Just as a point of clarification: What are you recommending that I be censured for — what action is it?”