Key players
Six to stand trial
Cathy Lexin: Former labor relations manager who played key role in preparing the 1996 and 2002 underfunding deals. During a June 21, 2002,
meeting, Lexin said she "didn't see anything with [underfunding the pension system] that is outside the Board's primary fiduciary duty."
Ron Saathoff: President of S.D. City Firefighters Local 145. In 2002 he voted for a deal that included
boosting benefits for union presidents. As result, Saathoff's annual retirement pay was increased by an estimated $26,000.
Sharon Wilkinson: City management analyst, 1992 to April 2005. Involved in actions that would increase her
monthly pension by $477, to $5,096.
John Torres: Vice president of the Municipal Employees Association, the largest labor union for city employees.
Resigned Oct. 18, 2005.
Mary Vattimo: Former city treasurer. in a 2003 memo said the pension deficit "numbers are staggering," yet
discouraged disclosure. Reports in Dec. 2004 that employees in her office were
destroying documents put the FBI on alert.
Terri Webster: Former San Diego assistant city auditor whose infamous "
earnings EEEK!" e-mail was not disclosed in subsequent mayoral reports on the city's fiscal health. Webster voted in 2002 to
increase benefits for city workers, including herself. Was later
put on leave for not turning over documents.
"That is when then-City Manager Michael Uberuaga came to the pension board with a deal to modify the 1996 agreement by lowering the trigger to 75 percent. "
I remember somewhere that he was "taking the 5th." Mike is one of those MPA smart career government types.
Looks like he was "slick" enough to avoid this round of indictments. He is no longer with the city of San Diego.
Probably retired at about $200,000 per year.
He is the former city manager of my town-Huntington Beach, which is NOT known for good city government.
HB is known for salary "spiking" whereby government employees final year pay rates are jumped up, for the pension basis.
A recent former mayor faces federal prison, for real estate fraud.