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Preferential Treatment?
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Firm Hired To Investigate Mayor's Drunken Episode
POSTED: 7:24 am PDT March 26,
2008
UPDATED: 1:39 pm PDT March 26,
2008
LA MESA, Calif. -- A San Luis Obispo consulting firm has been hired to investigate whether La Mesa police gave Mayor Art Madrid special treatment when he was found apparently drunk in public and given a ride home, it was reported Wednesday.The city of La Mesa hired James Gardiner Associates at a cost not to exceed $7,500 to file a report about the Feb. 20 incident within 30 days, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.Madrid, 73, was found lying on the ground next to his sports utility vehicle about a block from his home after a night of drinking with a city government colleague, 34-year-old Trisha Turner. Police gave both a ride to Madrid's home, spurring heated debates and calls for Madrid's resignation.
"For those people in the community that had some concerns about the police department, I hope this would address those concerns and restore confidence," La Mesa Police Chief Alan Lanning told the Union-Tribune. Lanning has previously said that, under the same circumstances, his officers would have done the same for anyone.Turner, who was found slumped behind the SUV's steering wheel, has since learned she will face drunken driving charges though neither she nor Madrid were given a sobriety test. She is scheduled to be arraigned on April 10 in El Cajon Superior Court.La Mesa City Manager Sandy Kerl said James Gardiner Associates will be paid from a $50,000 contingency fund.
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Previous Stories:
- March 20, 2008: Woman In La Mesa Mayor Flap Faces DUI Charge
- March 13, 2008: DA Will Not Investigate La Mesa Mayor, Police Dept.
- March 7, 2008: DA Asked To Investigate La Mesa Police Actions
- February 29, 2008: Council To Investigate La Mesa Mayor's Conduct
- February 28, 2008: Decision Not To Charge La Mesa Mayor's Driver Questioned
- February 28, 2008: Man Claims La Mesa Mayor Involved In Hit-And-Run
- February 28, 2008: Petition Started Calling For La Mesa Mayor To Step Down
- February 27, 2008: La Mesa Mayor Gets Public Tongue-Lashing
- February 26, 2008: La Mesa Officials To Discuss If Mayor Given Special Treatment
- February 25, 2008: La Mesa Mayor Denies Receiving Special Treatment
- February 25, 2008: Special Treatment Questions Rock La Mesa
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