‘Occupy’ Protesters Attempt To Arrest San Diego Mayor On Embezzlement Charges

Cbs News (2012-01-30) Tom Reopelle

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More Info: Occupy San Diego

SAN DIEGO (CBS) — Members of Occupy San Diego attempted to make a citizen’s arrest of the city’s mayor on Monday over allegations of embezzlement.

KNX 1070′s Tom Reopelle reports the protesters accused Mayor Jerry Sanders of breaking the law when he allowed the temporary name change of Qualcomm Stadium to “Snapdragon Stadium”.

The group presented paperwork to officials at City Hall claiming taxpayers lost revenue when Sanders approved the name change for three football games in December without City Council approval.

“He has committed a felony under state law,” said protester Martha Sullivan. “If the D.A. does not perform her official duties and prosecute this felony, which she’s responsible for, we intend to go to the state attorney general.”

Qualcomm paid the city $1,000 to compensate for staff time associated with last month’s temporary name change, during which time the facility hosted two college football bowl games and a Chargers contest. All three events were on prime time national television.

The name change was part of a promotion for Qualcomm’s new “Snapdragon” line of mobile processors.

Ray Lutz, an Occupy San Diego leader who formed a new group called the Citizens’ Oversight Project, said Qualcomm received at least $125,000 worth of exposure and probably more.

The money the city actually received in exchange was “a paltry sum,” said Lutz, a former congressional candidate who was arrested last fall during the Occupy San Diego protests. A spokesman for Sanders said the mayor had no comment.

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