Source: Inzunza Key Figure In City Hall Probe
Councilman Received Most Money From Strip Club Employees, Associates
POSTED: 5:30 p.m. PDT July 18, 2003
UPDATED: 5:40 p.m. PDT July 18, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- Sources for 10News have confirmed what has long been rumored -- San Diego City Councilman Ralph Inzunza is the key figure in the federal investigation of City Hall in San Diego.
A highly-placed insider told 10News that the investigation is the result of certain individuals in the strip club industry attempting to corrupt City Council members.
"Some bit, some didn't ... Inzunza bit," the source said.
The goal of the corruption was to have San Diego's "no-touch" strip club ordinance overturned. The ordinance forbids touching between strip club dancers and customers. In cities where clients can touch the dancers, clubs generate a tremendous amount of money.
There is a parallel investigation going on in Las Vegas, with many of the same elements. Strip club personnel have been suspected of trying to influence political figures. In both cases, federal grand juries have been impaneled to find out what happened.
Friday, a number of witnesses from Las Vegas were scheduled to come to San Diego to testify. But, for reasons unclear at this time, the witnesses testimony has been delayed, 10News reported.
One woman did appear before the grand jury Friday, but would not reveal her name or her employment to 10News.
Another source told 10News that the grand jury is most interested in the man who received the most money from strip clubs, Ralph Inzunza. He reportedly received $8,000 in contributions from strip club owners, their employees, and associates.
Inzunza's calendar shows that over several years he met eight times with strip club lobbyist Lance Malone.
Inzunza has claimed from the time FBI agents raided his office, that he has done nothing wrong.
The only wrong doing that the grand jury has heard involves John D'Intino, the day manager at Cheetahs strip club in San Diego, according to 10News.
At least one witness told the grand jury that D'Intino recruited strip club employees to write checks for $250 to certain City Council campaigns. D'Intino would then reimburse the employee with $250 in cash.
D'Intino's attorney said if that happened it's not serious enough to warrant a federal grand jury investigation.
10News called Inzunza for comment and were referred to his attorney, who said that Inzunza won't comment on allegations made by unnamed sources.
A highly-placed insider told 10News that the investigation is the result of certain individuals in the strip club industry attempting to corrupt City Council members.
"Some bit, some didn't ... Inzunza bit," the source said.
The goal of the corruption was to have San Diego's "no-touch" strip club ordinance overturned. The ordinance forbids touching between strip club dancers and customers. In cities where clients can touch the dancers, clubs generate a tremendous amount of money.
There is a parallel investigation going on in Las Vegas, with many of the same elements. Strip club personnel have been suspected of trying to influence political figures. In both cases, federal grand juries have been impaneled to find out what happened.
Friday, a number of witnesses from Las Vegas were scheduled to come to San Diego to testify. But, for reasons unclear at this time, the witnesses testimony has been delayed, 10News reported.
One woman did appear before the grand jury Friday, but would not reveal her name or her employment to 10News.
Another source told 10News that the grand jury is most interested in the man who received the most money from strip clubs, Ralph Inzunza. He reportedly received $8,000 in contributions from strip club owners, their employees, and associates.
Inzunza's calendar shows that over several years he met eight times with strip club lobbyist Lance Malone.
Inzunza has claimed from the time FBI agents raided his office, that he has done nothing wrong.
The only wrong doing that the grand jury has heard involves John D'Intino, the day manager at Cheetahs strip club in San Diego, according to 10News.
At least one witness told the grand jury that D'Intino recruited strip club employees to write checks for $250 to certain City Council campaigns. D'Intino would then reimburse the employee with $250 in cash.
D'Intino's attorney said if that happened it's not serious enough to warrant a federal grand jury investigation.
10News called Inzunza for comment and were referred to his attorney, who said that Inzunza won't comment on allegations made by unnamed sources.
Previous Stories:
- July 16, 2003: Strip Club Allegedly Bundles Contributions
- July 11, 2003: Testimony: Contributions Reimbursed With Cash
- July 11, 2003: Employees, Relatives Of Strip Club Owner To Testify
- June 23, 2003: Calendars Reveal Meetings With Strip Club Lobbyist
- June 13, 2003: Current, Former Council Staffers Testify Before Grand Jury
- June 6, 2003: Former Councilman's 2002 Calendar Missing
- June 6, 2003: Stevens Testifies Before Grand Jury
- May 30, 2003: City Council Staffers Testify Before Grand Jury
- May 22, 2003: Former Councilman Met With Strip Club Lobbyist
- May 21, 2003: Local Strip Club Tied To Mob?
- May 20, 2003: Were Strippers Tipped-Off About Inspections?
- May 20, 2003: Constituents Comment On City Council Investigation
- May 19, 2003: Councilmen Claim They've Done Nothing Wrong
- May 19, 2003: Grand Jury Resumes City Council Probe
- May 18, 2003: Federal Grand Jury Hears Council Member Testify
- May 16, 2003: Strip Club Warrant Details Revealed
- May 15, 2003: Mayor: Despite Raid, Business Of City Continues
- May 15, 2003: 3 City Council Offices, Strip Club Raided By FBI
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