Resident says mayor sought leniency in court for a convicted child assailant; urges leaders to prioritize survivors

Amber Lott, an Auburn resident who identified herself as a survivor, addressed the city council during audience participation on Sept. 15 and said she had learned that the mayor had written a court letter asking for leniency for a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a child.

"I'm here tonight because I've been deeply troubled to learn that the mayor wrote a letter to the court asking for leniency for a man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a child," Lott said. She said the man had worked with the city on public events and that some city leaders had continued to work with him after his conviction.

Lott said the city’s decisions had "shaken trust in our community," and urged council members to stand with survivors. "Healing and safety only comes when leaders stand with survivors and not with abusers," she said.

The comments came during the meeting’s audience participation period. The council did not take any immediate action or make a public response to the allegation during that portion of the meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: Lott’s remarks were a public comment and not a formal council action. The allegation that the mayor submitted a court letter is presented as Lott’s claim; the council record at this meeting contains no confirmation or denial of that claim.

Context: Lott said she had not spoken publicly about her experience before and described speaking out to represent other survivors.

What’s next: The transcript shows no formal follow‑up action recorded at the meeting; reporters or community members seeking confirmation of the claim should request records or a public response from city officials or the mayor’s office.