West Covina council authorizes outside investigation into censure dispute, votes to release findings

The West Covina City Council voted 5-0 on Sept. 16 to authorize an independent third‑party investigation into competing allegations between Mayor Pro Tem Letty Lopez Viado and Councilmember Brian Gutierrez and to waive confidentiality so the final report can be released to the public.

The vote followed more than two hours of public comment and extended remarks from both council members. Mayor Tony Wu said the city manager had already authorized an outside investigator to avoid any appearance of bias. Acting City Manager Mina Morakarich told the council the investigator would be independent and not a member of city staff.

Lopez Viado opened her remarks by describing a sequence of events she said began when she received a cease‑and‑desist email and later learned “a man opened our gate to come looking for me when I was not home.” She said the incident frightened her family and employees and…