The City of Yucaipa has referred conflict-of-interest allegations involving Councilmember Bob Miller to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) and the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office.
Miller is accused of violating Government Code Section 1090 by approving over $46,000 in payments to his wife Kathleen, a consultant for the city’s afterschool S.T.A.R.S program. Kathleen is a former principal for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District where her husband previously served as a school board trustee.
As chair of the council’s finance committee, Miller is responsible for reviewing budgets and contracts, and making recommendations to the council. It was in this capacity that he signed off on the payments to his wife.
Miller denies any involvement in drafting or negotiating his wife’s contract with the city. He also says he was not obligated to disclose her income on his Form 700 statement of Economic Interest because government salaries are not reportable under the law.
Miller’s colleagues unanimously called for his resignation in October. The councilman has said he is “not going anywhere.”
The council has established an ad hoc committee to review and approve payments and city contracts.
Read more at the San Bernardino Sun.