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Former Cotati councilman and residents allege code‑enforcement misconduct; multiple complaints reportedly filed
Summary
Former Councilman George Berich and resident Laurie made public allegations at the council meeting of a long‑running code‑enforcement scandal involving alleged perjury, embezzlement and misuse of funds tied to a contracted code‑enforcement officer; complainants said they filed reports with local police, the state bar and other agencies; council acknowledged comments and no formal response was given during the meeting.
During the public‑comment period, former Cotati councilmember George Berich and local resident Laurie made extended, specific allegations that city code enforcement has been used as a political weapon and that misconduct by outside contractors and officials has harmed residents.
Berich, who identified himself as a former council member, accused current or former local officers and contractors — naming Robert Smith and referencing another person, Damien — of running an ‘‘extortion racket’’ through…
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