After two investigations into whether or not Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner pushed and berated Councilmember Yvonne Martínez Beltrán at a February assembly, a report made public this week rebuts these allegations, discovering “insufficient evidence” to help Martínez Beltrán’s claims.
Whereas the 2 usually vote collectively on the common enterprise of town, Turner and Martínez Beltrán have a historical past of public, generally heated, disagreements throughout metropolis council conferences, particularly on politically salient points starting from a tax deal for a luxurious resort, distant entry to conferences, and a peace decision for the Israel-Hamas Battle. Many of those got here to a head when the 2 confronted off in a mayoral race final November which noticed each trade barbs publicly over their expertise and accomplishments earlier than Turner returned to the mayor’s seat with a 16-point lead.
In February, considered one of these disagreements led to the trade that resulted within the investigation. Earlier than a particular assembly to set priorities for the brand new council on February 7, Martínez Beltrán requested Turner to incorporate an merchandise on the agenda in search of a decision stating that the Metropolis Council would defend the rights of residents no matter immigration standing. Turner, nevertheless, directed Martínez Beltrán to make use of the council’s common course of, which takes a number of weeks. On the assembly, Martínez Beltrán argued that, given the political local weather, the problem was too pressing to attend, resulting in dialogue riddled with cross-talk between Turner and Martínez Beltrán. Martinez Beltrán’s request to vote for a particular assembly on the problem in the end was denied, and the mayor subsequently known as for a break.
Based on the allegations towards the mayor included within the report, Martínez Beltrán stated that through the break, Turner yelled and pointed at her, instructed her to “get in line” and pushed her. She introduced her complaints to the Morgan Hill Police Division and to town, which set off an investigation by the third occasion Kramer Office Investigations.
The investigation included conversations with all councilmembers, Metropolis Supervisor Christina Turner and Metropolis Legal professional Donald Larkin, who each report back to the mayor and Metropolis Council.
Out there video of the incident exhibits Martínez Beltrán (in purple) approaching Turner (in gray), who seems to the touch her forearm. Turner is then seen partaking in a dialogue offscreen, presumably with Martínez Beltrán, the place he’s seen nodding then briefly extending his proper arm as he turns to sit down down. No audio is heard of their dialogue.
Whereas the witness accounts included within the report differ on the order and phrasing, they largely agree that Turner touched Martínez Beltrán on the arm, instructed her to “calm down,” and that she responded by saying “don’t touch me.”
Given the video proof and interviews with witnesses, the investigation by the third occasion stated there was not sufficient proof to help Martínez Beltrán’s allegations. Whereas she additionally filed a police report, the District Legal professional has rejected the case and won’t file prices.
In his personal written assertion, Turner expressed gratitude for the investigators and their efforts to “ultimately reveal the truth,” and “disappointment in Ms. Beltran’s decision to fabricate these claims following her loss in the mayoral election last November.”
“These false accusations and subsequent investigations have been disruptive to our collective work and to the public trust we are obligated to uphold. I hope we can now move forward, refocusing our attention on serving the community in a way our residents and businesses deserve,” he stated.
Based on Metropolis Legal professional Larkin, the Metropolis Council, excluding Turner and Martínez Beltrán, met to debate the findings of the report, and voted to refer the report back to the Honest Political Practices Fee, a non-partisan state physique that oversees enforcement of marketing campaign and battle of curiosity legal guidelines, and to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, an unbiased physique that examines complaints into actions or efficiency of public officers and businesses.
The council additionally voted to carry a particular assembly on the report on July 22, which Martínez Beltrán stated she had requested to have moved again to August 20, since she will probably be unable to attend the July assembly.
