Ione council refers possible closed-session disclosure to grand jury

After returning from a closed session, legal counsel reported that the Ione City Council voted 4-0 to refer a possible closed-session disclosure to the grand jury for investigation. The council had convened a closed session to consult with legal counsel regarding existing litigation, named in the agenda as City of Ione v. Allison Lefaine and Baldwin West LLC.

"By a 4 0 vote, the council has authorized a referral to the grand jury for investigation of a possible closed session disclosure," said legal counsel. No further details were reported at the meeting and no public comment was made on the matter during the open meeting.

The referral was announced immediately after the council returned from closed session. The council did not provide a resolution number or a detailed timeline for the grand-jury referral during the meeting. Council members did not take additional public action on the item that night.

The meeting continued with routine business after the report-out; the council did not indicate a timeframe for any subsequent public updates on the status of the grand-jury inquiry.