The Morning Report
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In 2016, San Diego leased a downtown high-rise, hoping to house its workers in the towering office space. It’s been a disaster ever since.
Renovating the space blew past cost expectations and eventually forced city workers to evacuate after construction inadvertently disturbed asbestos in the building. The city is now tied up in lawsuits over what officials knew about the state of the building and when they knew it, and the transaction itself is now the subject of a criminal investigation.
Gloria: Former City COO Implied She Wanted a Job If He Won Mayor’s Race
I reported last week on ex-Chief Operating Officer Kris Michell’s revelation under oath that she handed a copy of a law firm’s purportedly confidential analysis of the 101 Ash St. transaction to then-city attorney candidate Cory Briggs as she mulled whether to blow the whistle on the debacle. Michell also disputed allegations made in a bombshell City Attorney’s Office…
All 101 Ash Legal Battles Didn’t End with Settlement Deal
The city of San Diego last week consummated a controversial settlement partially to avoid a years-long legal battle over its scandal-plagued 101 Ash St. and Civic Center Plaza buildings, but the deal didn’t end all the legal woes surrounding the debacle. The city is still left with a flurry of litigation tied to building renovations…
Ex-COO Denies Ordering Purge of 101 Ash Docs
Two months after the City Attorney’s Office accused her of ordering the deletion of 101 Ash St. related city records, former Chief Operating Officer Kris Michell testified under oath that the letter was “inaccurate” and politically motivated.
City’s Ex-COO Sheds Light on Leak But Testimony Solves None of the Ongoing 101 Ash Mysteries
Kris Michell, the city’s former top bureaucrat, testified under oath that she leaked a confidential analysis of the 101 Ash deal to a candidate for city attorney as she considered blowing the whistle on the debacle.
The City Decided It Wanted Those Two Buildings and Now It’s Got Them and a Historic Challenge
The city’s decision to settle with the company and investors that sold it two buildings downtown, now means it has committed to take on one of the most difficult infrastructure and land-use projects it has ever undertaken.
DA’s Office Files Motion Over Seized Hughes, Cisterra Docs Days Before Settlement Vote
The District Attorney’s Office on Thursday asked a Superior Court judge to review documents it says that the city’s landlord and the adviser it paid millions are deeming privileged – and thus not to be reviewed in its criminal probe.
City Subpoenas Ex-COO Accused of Ordering Deletion of 101 Ash Records
Attorneys for the city and a former city real estate adviser want to question former top city bureaucrat Kris Michell under oath following allegations she ordered the deletion of records about 101 Ash St. and Civic Center Plaza.
101 Ash Settlement Vote Delayed
Mayor Todd Gloria called off a planned vote on a controversial 101 Ash St. settlement just 20 minutes before Monday’s City Council meeting.
What’s In the City’s Proposed 101 Ash Settlement
Mayor Todd Gloria and City Attorney Mara Elliott disagree over whether a proposed deal with the city’s 101 Ash St. landlord and lenders behind two city leases is the right option. We break down the proposed deal and the arguments for and against it.
Gloria, City Attorney Disagree on Best Path for 101 Ash Suits
Mayor Todd Gloria argues a proposed settlement with the city’s 101 Ash landlord and the lenders behind it will help the city move forward from the years-long debacle. City Attorney Mara Elliott isn’t on board.
City Attorney’s Office Still Waiting to Hear from Ex-COO
This post originally appeared in the May 17 Morning Report. Get the free daily newsletter here. City Attorney Mara Elliott’s office says former Chief Operating Officer Kris Michell has yet to formally respond to its May 11 letter accusing the ex-city bureaucrat of directing the city’s Information Technology Department to purge records tied to 101…
Ex-City Real Estate Chief: 101 Ash Landlord Denied Paying ‘Volunteer’ Adviser
Former city real estate director Cybele Thompson testified under oath that city landlord Cisterra Development at least twice denied paying “volunteer” city real estate adviser Jason Hughes, a claim that Cisterra disputes.
City Attorney: Ex-City COO Ordered Deletion of 101 Ash Records Before Resignation
City Attorney Mara Elliott’s office is demanding answers in a letter alleging former city Chief Operating Officer Kris Michell ordered the deletion of cell phone and computer records about 101 Ash St. and Civic Center Plaza.
Docs: City Officials Knew ‘Volunteer’ Real Estate Guru Wanted Compensation
Documents reveal real estate broker Jason Hughes, who agreed to advise the city for free and later collected $9.4 million, wasn’t shy about telling city officials and the city’s would-be landlord that he wanted to be paid.
Ex-City Real Estate Chief Gives Behind-the-Scenes Take on What Led to 101 Ash Fiasco
Former city real estate chief Cybele Thompson testified under oath former Mayor Kevin Faulconer spent more on the building to avoid political criticism and that she stands by her work on the city’s 101 Ash St. lease but the city ‘cut corners’ on renovation work on the high rise.
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