Steven White No Longer City Employee
In a terse announcement today from Communication Director Bill Lobdell, the City of Costa Mesa announced that Steven White is no longer a city employee. The full text of that announcement reads as follows: "Effective today, January 25, 2013, Steven White is no longer employed by the City of Costa Mesa."
WAS HE FIRED?
Although it was not specifically stated in the announcement, it is logical to assume that White was fired by The City as a result of the decision by the District Attorney to charge him in this case and the city's own internal personnel investigation.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CHARGED HIM
You will recall that earlier this week the Orange County District Attorney announced that White will be charged with various crimes in connection with supposed vandalism of political signs during the run-up to the November election. You can read the Daily Pilot coverage of that story HERE.
COSTA MESA TAXPAYER'S ASSOCIATION VIDEO
White had been on paid administrative leave ever since he was identified on a very grainy video shown on the Costa Mesa Taxpayer's Association account on YouTube. You can view it HERE. The photo above is enhanced from that video.
A VERY, STUPID, COSTLY ACT
It is highly unlikely that any other sign vandals will be apprehended since most trails will have gone cold - if any existed in the first place. If White did perform these acts of vandalism it was a very foolish act on his part. According to the Daily Pilot account of the charges being filed, if convicted White faces the possibility of a year in jail, $1,000 fine and restitution. The charge was misdemeanor vandalism.
Labels: Sign vandalism, Steven White