HomeMy WebLinkAboutSarahFrom:Sarah
To:Council; Sonia Carvalho; Attorney
Cc:Eric Levitt; PublicComments
Subject:Request for Transparency on Attorney Selection for Cease and Desist Notice Addressed to Treasure Ortiz and
related Investigative Reports
Date:Thursday, March 19, 2026 11:50:44 PM
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Hello,
I’m requesting clarification regarding the City’s decision to use attorney Irma Rodríguez
Moisa to issue the cease‑and‑desist letter to Treasure Ortiz, as well as continue to probe
regarding the continued withholding of various investigative reports.
Irma Rodríguez Moisa is the same attorney who represented former City Manager
Rochelle Clayton in her hostile‑work‑environment claim against the City, and she has
personally stated that the JL Group report “did not seem credible” and appeared to be
written “as if they started with the conclusion and backed into it.” Given her direct
criticism of the JL Group’s work and her prior role opposing the City, it is unclear why she
was selected to issue a letter tied to those same findings that she initially critiqued. This
decision raises concerns about consistency, impartiality, changing narrative, and the City’s
overall approach to legal representation.
It is also unclear why BBK, the City’s primary legal representative, did not issue the
cease‑and‑desist letter. Without an explanation, the decision appears irregular and has
contributed to public confusion.
At the same time, the City continues to withhold the FULL JL Group's investigative report,
along with the substantiated and unsubstantiated findings related to Mayor Helen Tran and
Treasure Ortiz. These various investigations were funded by taxpayers, yet the public has not
been given access to the complete results. This is especially concerning given Councilmember
Fred Shorett’s statement that Moisa told him the JL Group firm produces reports that are not
credible in court and he seemed to agree.
To address these concerns, I am requesting clear answers to the following:
Requested Clarifications
1. Why attorney Irma Rodríguez Moisa was selected to issue the cease‑and‑desist letter to
Treasure Ortiz despite her prior public criticism of the JL Group report and her prior
representation of Rochelle Clayton against the City.
2. Why BBK did not issue the cease‑and‑desist letter.
3. Whether BBK declined involvement or identified any conflict arising from either the
cease and desist letter, the inherent conflict in selecting Moisa, or the refusal to release
public records to the public.
4. Why the full JL Group investigative report has not been released, including the more
than 100 pages that were removed before providing to then‑City Manager Rochelle
Clayton.
5. Why the FULL substantiated and unsubstantiated findings report regarding Mayor Tran
and Treasure Ortiz remain withheld.
6. What legal basis is being used to withhold taxpayer‑funded investigative reports.
7. How the City can rely on JL Group findings for enforcement actions while refusing to
release the underlying reports to the public.
These decisions directly affect public trust, and the community deserves transparency. Thank
you