Stockton Councilmember Michele Padilla has been officially censored by her fellow councilors for using city money to fund a community BBQ where candidates running for office were allowed to give political speeches.
Padilla gave an impassioned speech during a censure hearing at Tuesday’s Stockton City Council meeting, defending herself against accusations that she violated council policy by hosting an event in July that was “political in nature” using her council discretionary funding. The event cost the city about $10,000 for Padilla to host.
The District 1 councilor fought back tears and described the accusations against her as “a malicious, clear attack” on her character and an attempt to misrepresent her intentions in holding an event that was beneficial to her constituents…