Elk Grove City Council Members Involved in Heated Argument over Proposed Ethics Investigation

Cooper to city attorney: You gave bad advice


8:00 PM

An ethics violation investigation proposed by Elk Grove Council Member Jim Cooper erupted into a contentious verbal exchange between Elk Grove City Council members.

During the discussion on future agenda items Cooper urged the formation of two-member committee to investigate an ethics complaint over an unspecified council member. Cooper did not say what the specifics of the investigation would cover.

Although Cooper did not say what the violation was, he indicated it was a serious matter. "I think everybody needs to be held accountable," he said.

Council member Gary Davis said he would support having the item discussed, but was not inclined to having an investigation because the city's code of ethics is voluntary. "I am really torn," Davis said.

Cooper retorted that while he realized it is voluntary, certain charges are serious enough to warrant investigation. "Certain things rise to a certain level. It is something that has to be addressed," Cooper asserted.

Mayor Sophia Scherman objected to the proposed investigation saying it was not needed. "I will not sit in judgement of my fellow council members," Schermam said.

Council member Pat Hume asked Cooper what the purpose of the investigation was. Cooper reiterated that it was a serious matter.

At one point Cooper and Hume were in a heated verbal exchange when Hume said the investigation was politically motivated. Neither cited specifics on the matter. 

Davis reiterated that the code was voluntary and he felt that public was more interested in the council moving forward on things important to them. Davis said their purpose was "not to play kindergarten cop."

Cooper quickly interjected as he had repeatedly done during the conversation that the matter in question had risen to level of importance that an investigation was warranted.

Citing his long law enforcement career, Cooper said it was a serious matter. "If I didn't think this is serious, I wouldn't bring it up," he asserted.

Council member Steve Detrick who was subjected to an ethics violation that was initiated by Scherman earlier this year said he would support the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.

"When you do nothing it looks like your trying to hide something," Detrick said.

Detrick went on to say that Scherman initiated the investigation that was conducted on him and failure to investigate the matter brought forward by Cooper is a double standard.

A clearly flustered Scherman said the action would be like "scolding a child" and that "it would be a waste of time."

Scherman went on to say she authorized the investigation into Detrick's ethics complaint was based on the advice of Elk Grove City Attorney Susan Cochran.

Cooper asserted that the investigation never had the complete approval of the city council and should not have taken place without it. "It was bad legal advice," Cooper said of Cochran's advise to Scherman.

Hume also plead against placing the formation of a committee as a future agenda discussion item. "It is not worth agendizing," Hume said.

Cooper, Davis and Detrick agreed to place the matter on a future agenda. Hume and Scherman opposed it.

DEVELOPING

A video of the exchange will be posted when made available.