Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-035
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA, CENSURING
COUNCILMEMBER TREASURE ORTIZ FOR CONDUCT
UNBECOMING OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino have a duty to the residents and employees of the City to ensure full compliance with the laws of the State of California, the City’s Municipal Code and Charter, and all applicable rules, regulations, and policies, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect in the performance of their official duties; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council are expected to conduct themselves ethically, responsibly, and beyond reproach at all times while acting within the course and scope of their offices; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted a Municipal Code, including Section 2.58.050(A), which affirms that residents and businesses are entitled to a fair, ethical, and accountable local government that earns and maintains the public’s confidence through integrity, openness, honesty, and transparency; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.58.050(B) of the Municipal Code further requires that the Mayor and City Council adhere to a code of conduct designed to assure public confidence in the integrity of local government, its effective operations, and fair treatment of all individuals; and
WHEREAS, Section 2.58.050(B)(1) of the Municipal Code provides that the “professional and personal conduct of the Mayor and City Council must be above reproach and avoid the appearance of impropriety. The Mayor and members of the City Council shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of each other, the staff or the public”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has identified conduct by Councilmember Ortiz that is inconsistent with the legal, ethical, and professional standards required of elected officials and therefore initiated a formal review of Councilmember Ortiz’s conduct. That conduct i ncludes illegally recording confidential communications with City officials and using those recordings to advance her personal and political interests; making repeated false and defamatory claims about other City officials and the City itself; and using her official title and City insignias to advance and amplify those false claims; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2026, pursuant to notice duly given to Councilmember Ortiz on March 24, 2026, the City Council held a hearing to consider possible censure of Councilmember Ortiz for such violation of legal, ethical, and professional standards; and Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
WHEREAS, at such hearing, the City Council duly considered the evidence and comments presented in support of the allegations for censure, the comments and response by Councilmember Ortiz, and comments by the public; and
WHEREAS, on August 15, 2024, Councilmember Ortiz, who was then a candidate for City Council, recorded a confidential conversation with San Bernardino Police Department (“SBPD”) Sergeant Jose Loera, President of the San Bernardino Police Officers Association, without his consent; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that Sergeant Loera did not know of, and did not consent to, any recording of the August 15, 2024 conversation; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that Sergeant Loera reasonably expected that the conversation was confidential and that it was confined to the parties to the conversation; and
WHEREAS, on August 29, 2024, Councilmember Ortiz, who was then a candidate for City Council, recorded a confidential conversation with SBPD Chief of Police Darren Goodman without his consent; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that Chief Goodman did not know of, and did not consent to, any recording of the August 29, 2024 conversation; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that Chief Goodman reasonably expected that the conversation was confidential and that it was confined to the parties to the conversation; and
WHEREAS, following an investigation, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Councilmember Ortiz arising from her August 15 and 29, 2024 conversations with Sergeant Loera and Chief Goodman, alleging that she unlawfully recorded confidential conversations in violation of California Pe nal Code section 632(a), as detailed in the Misdemeanor Complaint dated January 8, 2026, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as Attachment 1; and
WHEREAS, since taking office, Councilmember Ortiz has used the above -referenced recordings to publicly and falsely discredit the City and members of the SBPD, including through public statements, a false and frivolous claim for $2,000,000 against the City, and a baseless federal civil action against the City and various City officials; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz has used her official position as a councilmember, as well as City resources, seals, and insignias, in her private capacity to amplify and advance false claims that the City and SBPD acted illegally or dishonestly, and she did so for her personal political benefit; and
WHEREAS, nothing in state law or the City’s Charter guarantees to an elected Councilmember the assignment or use of a dedicated office space in City Hall; and Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2025, in an office at San Bernardino City Hall that she was granted the privilege to use for work related to her duties as a Councilmember, Councilmember Ortiz authorized and participated in a news media interview for the purpose of promoting her false, personal claim against the City, thereby improperly using her official position, creating a clear conflict of interest, and misusing public resources; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz, beginning as a political candidate and continuing as a City Councilmember, has engaged in a pattern of deceptive and dishonest behavior that began before her election and has continued in office; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz falsely claimed that an SBPD detective unlawfully accessed her confidential information through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (“CLETS”) and disseminated that information to unauthorized individuals; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that SBPD personnel had a lawful basis to access Councilmember Ortiz’s CLETS criminal history information in March 2020 after she was identified as a suspect in an investigation involving reported threats to an elected official; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz has falsely claimed that SBPD conducted a separate CLETS inquiry in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that SBPD personnel did not conduct a separate CLETS inquiry in 2019; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented further show that SBPD personnel did not release Councilmember Ortiz’s confidential criminal history information to any unauthorized individuals; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz falsely stated that she has never been arrested; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that Councilmember Ortiz was arrested on June 22, 2006 by the San Bernardino County She riff’s Department and on March 7, 2015 by the Los Angeles Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz falsely claimed there were no public records of her arrests and that her 2024 campaign opponent’s team fabricated an arrest record that was publicized during the election; and
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented show that an arrest record for “Tresure Ortiz” exists on a public website that includes accurate identifying information relating Councilmember Ortiz’s June 22, 2006 arrest; and
Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented also show that an arrest record relating to the March 7, 2015 arrest was previously available on a public website but was later removed after an online request was submitted by Councilmember Ortiz; and WHEREAS, the evidence and statements presented further show that Councilmember Ortiz used information provided by Chief Goodman to contact the California Department of Justice and falsely represented herself as an SBPD employee to obtain information about the CLETS inquiry; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Ortiz’s conduct has brought disrepute upon the City, generated numerous public comments and complaints alleging corruption within the City and SBPD, and exposed the City to unnecessary costs and legal fees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council does not condone or approve of such conduct and finds it necessary to formally express its strong disapproval; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds adoption of this Resolution necessary to affirm that such conduct will not be tolerated and to deter similar conduct in the future; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds it essential to demonstrate to the public that misconduct by elected officials will be addressed openly and transparently to protect and maintain public trust in local government.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Council finds that Councilmember Ortiz, while a political candidate, unlawfully recorded confidential conversations with SBPD personnel and later, while in elected office as a Councilmember, used those recordings to promote false claims that the City and SBPD acted illegally or dishonestly, all for her personal political benefit, in violation of state law, the San Bernardino Municipal Code, and the San Bernardino City Charter.
SECTION 3. The City Council finds that this improper, unprofessional, and unacceptable conduct was undertaken solely by Councilmember Ortiz in her individual capacity, without authorization or ratification by the City Council, and in direct conflict with the legitimate public interests of the City.
SECTION 4. The City Council hereby censures Councilmember Ortiz for the conduct described herein and expresses its strongest disapproval and disavowal of such behavior.
SECTION 5. The City Council further finds that the conduct described herein was undertaken outside the course and scope of official duties as an elected representative of the City.
Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
Accordingly, the City Council hereby imposes the following administrative measures, consistent with the City’s Municipal Code, City Charter, and all applicable laws, polices, and procedures:
(1) Councilmember Ortiz is hereby removed from her discretionary assignments for which she was appointed by the Mayor and City Council, specifically, the City’s Homeless Initiatives Ad-Hoc Subcommittee and the alternate for San Bernardino County Continuum of Care, San Bernardino County Central Valley Regional Steering Committee, and San Bernardino County Central Valley Network, for a temporary period of years, effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution.
(2) In order to prevent future misuse of public resources for non-official purposes, such as a past instance of Councilmember Ortiz giving a news media interview conducted in an office at San Bernardino City Hall that she was given the privilege to use, for the purpose of promoting her frivolous claim against the City, and in order to protect City facilities and the integrity of City operations, Councilmember Ortiz’s privilege to use an assigned office at City Hall is hereby withdrawn for a temporary period of years, effective immediately upon adoption of this Resolution.
(3) The City Council hereby requests that Councilmember Ortiz voluntarily resigns from her elected seat, as continued service in an elected position, based upon her past conduct, is incompatible with the interests of the public and the effective governance of the City.
SECTION 6. The City Council admonishes Councilmember Ortiz to exercise caution, to cease and desist from any further misconduct, and to comply fully with all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies.
SECTION 7. The City Manager is hereby directed to notify the City Council immediately if Councilmember Ortiz engages in conduct proscribed by this Resolution.
SECTION 8. If similar unlawful, improper, or unprofessional conduct occurs in the future, the City Council will pursue any and all legal remedies available under the law to prevent or stop such conduct.
SECTION 9. The City Council reserves all rights to pursue any and all legal remedies available by law regarding conduct that has already occurred, including referring the matter to law enforcement for further investigation.
SECTION 10. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications, and to this end the provisions of this Resolution are declared to be severable.
SECTION 11. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
Approved and ADOPTED by the City Council and signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk this 1st day of April, 2026.
Helen Tran, Mayor
City of San Bernardino
Attest:
Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney
Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO) ss
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO )
I, Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk, hereby certify that the attached is a true copy of Resolution No. 2026-035, adopted at a regular meeting held on the 1st day of April 2026 by the following vote:
Council Members: AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
SANCHEZ
IBARRA
FIGUEROA
SHORETT
KNAUS
FLORES
ORTIZ
WITNESS my hand and official seal of the City of San Bernardino this day of 2026.
Telicia Lopez, CMC, City Clerk
Resolution No. 2026-035
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
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• ·c:t
Electronically Flied
Superior Court of California
County of San Bernardino
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER DISTRICT
01/08/2026
Gomez-Casillas, Michelle
Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, )
)
Treasure Ortiz
vs.
Plaintiff
Defendant
)
)
)
) MISDEMEANOR COMPLAINT
) COURT CASE NOMBER:MSB26000177
) ) DA CASE NO 2026-00-0000627
)
)
)
)
The undersigned Is Informed and believes that:
COUNT1
On or about August 15, 2024, in the· above- named judicial district, the crime of EAVESDROPPING, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 632(a), a misdemeanor, was committed by Treasure Ortiz, who did intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, by means of an electronic amplifying and recording device, eavesdrop and record the confidential communication.
•••••
COUNT2
On or about August 29, 2024, in the above- named judicial district, the crime of EAVESDROPPING, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 632(a), a misdemeanor, was committed by Treasure Ortiz, who did Intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, by means of an electronic amplifying and recording device, eavesdrop and record the confidential communication.
•••••
Complaint DA CASE NO: 2026-00-0000627
Resolution No. 2026-035
April 1, 2026
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...
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NOTICE TO DEFENDANT AND DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY
Pursuant to Penal Code Sections 1054.5.(b), the People are hereby informally requesting that defense counsel provide discovery to the People as required by Penal Code Section 1054.3.
NOTICE TO ATTORNEY
The materials accompanying this notice may include information about witnesses. If so, these materials are disclosed to you pursuant to Penal Code section 1054.2 which provides: "No attorney may disclose or permit to be disclosed to a defendant the address or telephone number of a victim or witness whose name is disclosed to the attorney pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1054.1 unless specifically permitted to do so by the court after a hearing and a showing of good cause."
I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT AND THAT THIS COMPLAINT CONSISTS OF 2 COUNT{S).
Executed at San Bernardino, California, on January 08, 2026
Carlo DiCesare
Carlo DiCesare
DECLARANT AND COMPLAINANT
Agency: District Attorney B of I-SPG Prelim Est.
Defendant
Treasure Ortiz
Birth Date Booking No
1983-06-16
CII No.
A27487772
NCIC
Page2
Complaint DA CASE NO: 2026-00-0000627