California City mayor calls alleged 'bogus investigation' unlawful, urges transparency; council approves agenda

Mayor Hawkins told the California City Council that an unspecified "bogus investigation" had been launched without legal authority and urged the council to open records and provide alternate legal representation for city officials.

Hawkins said the probe appeared designed to undermine the administration and called for accountability. "I am not implicated in any wrongdoing. This is absolutely false," he said, and later asked the council to "open the records and communications related to this matter" and to "ensure that city officials are provided proper legal representation immediately as required by law."

The mayor also questioned why no tort claim had been filed and said the city attorney had informed him their firm was conflicted and therefore could not provide legal advice to the city. "When the city attorney is conflicted, they are obligated to notify the counsel and ensure that the client, in this case, city officials, has proper representation before any such interviews take place," Hawkins said. He urged the council to "investigate demand accountability for those responsible."

Earlier in the meeting the council approved the agenda. The motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded on the record; a roll call produced unanimous approval: Council Member Hightower, yes; Council Member Hurls, yes; Council Member Smith, yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kulicoff, yes; Mayor Hawkins, yes. The clerk then declared, "Agenda is approved."

At public comment, Robbie Perez pointed out a typographical error on the meeting agenda, noting, "In the agenda. In the blue portion, we identify the calendar year incorrectly, if we can make a change there." He added, "Since 2024, it should be 2025."

Following the public comment period the council moved into closed session and the meeting recording was stopped.