A man convicted of three felonies for his part in a major law enforcement corruption scandal is no longer doing business with the city.
As our Will Huntsberry reported in November, Giovanni Tilotta had been doing big business with the city since his conviction. Tilotta, who runs a law enforcement and military supply business, had sold more than $1 million in gear to various city departments, including the Police Department and Contracting and Purchasing, since his conviction.
After reporting that story, city officials said they were evaluating their business relationship with Tilotta. Now, the city no longer has any contracts with Tilotta, according to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office.
Tilotta was convicted for his part in a wide-ranging corruption scandal that centered around Marco Garmo, a former sheriff’s captain, who wielded immense power in East County.
Tilotta whitewashed illegal gun transactions for Garmo, who was selling guns to civilians that are only intended for law enforcement officers. Garmo didn’t just sell guns for the money, but also for political influence. He planned to run for sheriff and he hoped selling the guns would gain him favor with rich San Diegans like jewelry store owner Leo Hamel, who bought guns from Garmo.
City Picks Team to Turn 101 Ash Tower into Apartments
The San Diego City Council picked a developer Monday to transform the beleaguered 101 Ash Street tower downtown into apartments. Create Dev LLC led by CEO Kelly Modén and MRK Partners now get to negotiate with the city over the coming months to come to a final deal. No terms of the sale or lease of the tower were released.
The mayor released this statement Monday afternoon.
“Today, after a briefing on two well-vetted proposals to redevelop the City-owned building at 101 Ash St., the City Council directed staff to enter into exclusive negotiations with Create Dev LLC and MRK Partners on their proposal to create 253 affordable homes with ground-floor retail at the site. City staff will brief the Council regularly as negotiations progress over the next number of months.”
Background: The city of San Diego agreed to a lease-to-own deal for the tower in 2017. Mayor Kevin Faulconer wanted to have city staff work out of the building but an effort to remodel the building for more workers disturbed asbestos and the scandal about how much the deal cost the city and why it made it consumed San Diego politics for years.
The city sued the landlord that it was supposed to be paying and the real estate broker who had volunteered to negotiate the deal. It was revealed the volunteer actually had a contract with the landlord that gave him a share of the profits if the city agreed to the lease-to-own deal.
The city decided to settle the lawsuit and buy the building outright. The mayor and Council President at the time argued it would be part of a major redevelopment of the city’s entire Civic Centre.
Whether Create Dev LLC and its partners will purchase the tower outright, lease it or just get it is not public information. Modén released a statement only expressing that she was thrilled by the opportunity.
Not related but similar: The Council also got an update Monday on the Midway Rising project. The developers of that project and the city have a similar exclusive negotiating agreement as the one approved for the 101 Ash Street project.
When the negotiations are complete, the City Council will get to approve or reject the deals.
Border Report: Tijuana’s Expert Migrant Affairs Official Is Out
Ahead of an expected influx of deportees into Mexico, Tijuana officials asked one of the city’s most experienced migrant advocates to resign.
Jose Luis Perez Canchola was asked to resign last week by city officials after speaking out repeatedly about the city’s need for better preparation and more coordination between city, state and federal officials. He also urged the federal government to give funding to local migrant shelters.
President Donald Trump has already begun implementing his plans for mass deportations. He also suspended asylum appointments and moved to end birthright citizenship. Tijuana, the largest city on Mexico’s northern border and a major migrant hub, will see a rush of deportees and asylum applicants returning to Mexico.
Since Perez Canchola’s resignation last week, migrant shelters, human rights activists, residents and more have signed petitions protesting the city’s decision.
According to city officials, Perez Canchola’s statements were not aligned with City Hall. Now, many are left wondering how this will impact the city during such a critical time.
In Other News
- San Diego County submitted 30 project proposals to the state in an attempt to secure millions of dollars in mental health care funding that is part of a $3.3 billion round of state grants made available by the passage of Proposition 1. (Union-Tribune)
- Get ready to pay more for parking. The San Diego City Council voted to raise the city’s parking meter rates from $1.25 to $2.50 an hour. It’s an expected move given that the city is dealing with a looming budget deficit. (KPBS)
- Voters in San Diego’s County’s District 1 will receive postcards this week with voting options for the April 8 special primary election for the race to fill former County Supervisor Nora Vargas. (KPBS)
The Morning Report was written by Will Huntsberry, Scott Lewis and Tigist Layne. It was edited by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña.