Michael Zucchet
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Zucchet is a San Diego-born American
Democratic politician
, a former member of the San Diego City Council
, and a former Deputy Mayor of San Diego. In 2005, he briefly served as the Acting Mayor of San Diego.
, and a Master's degree in Environmental Economics and Policy from Duke University
.
He worked as a renewable energy economist with the Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy
in Washington, DC, then returned to San Diego in 1996 to work as a City Council aide to council-member Valerie Stallings. From 1998 through 2002, he served as the legislative and community affairs director for the San Diego City Fire Fighters.
Zucchet has also done work with the non-profit Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara while in college. He has served as president of the San Diego League of Conservation Voters
, vice-president of the Pacific Beach Town Council, been elected member of the Pacific Beach Community Planning Committee, and appointed member of the city's Select Committee on Government Efficiency and Fiscal Reform. He is a graduate of LEAD San Diego.
Michael Zucchet served as a San Diego city council-member representing the city's Second District from November 2002 to July 2005.
Zucchet worked at the Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) as a Project Manager in 2006. He is now (2009) the general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association, the union that represents city workers.
He lives in Ocean Beach, San Diego
with his wife Teresa and his daughter and son.
resigned July 15, 2005. But three days later, he too resigned after he was convicted in U.S. District Court of one count of conspiracy, five counts of wire fraud and three counts of extortion. This was in connection with a scheme involving fellow City Councilman Ralph Inzunza
to get the city's "no touch" laws at strip clubs repealed.
On November 10, 2005, citing lack of evidence, a judge overturned the convictions against Zucchet. He acquitted Zucchet on seven of the original nine charges and ordered a new trial on the remaining two indictments. The convictions against two co-defendants were upheld.
On September 1, 2009, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Zucchet's acquittals. In the decision, the Court emphasized the lack of evidence against Zucchet.
The remaining two charges against him were finally dropped in 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, a former member of the San Diego City Council
San Diego City Council
The San Diego City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of San Diego, California. The city councilmember seats are all officially non-partisan by state law. There are currently 8 members of the city council, which will be expanded to 9 members in 2012 under the terms of a...
, and a former Deputy Mayor of San Diego. In 2005, he briefly served as the Acting Mayor of San Diego.
Biography
Zucchet earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
, and a Master's degree in Environmental Economics and Policy from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
.
He worked as a renewable energy economist with the Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
in Washington, DC, then returned to San Diego in 1996 to work as a City Council aide to council-member Valerie Stallings. From 1998 through 2002, he served as the legislative and community affairs director for the San Diego City Fire Fighters.
Zucchet has also done work with the non-profit Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara while in college. He has served as president of the San Diego League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
, vice-president of the Pacific Beach Town Council, been elected member of the Pacific Beach Community Planning Committee, and appointed member of the city's Select Committee on Government Efficiency and Fiscal Reform. He is a graduate of LEAD San Diego.
Michael Zucchet served as a San Diego city council-member representing the city's Second District from November 2002 to July 2005.
Zucchet worked at the Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) as a Project Manager in 2006. He is now (2009) the general manager of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association, the union that represents city workers.
He lives in Ocean Beach, San Diego
Ocean Beach, San Diego, California
Ocean Beach is a beachfront neighborhood of San Diego, California.-Geography:Ocean Beach is located in San Diego on the Southern California coast. It lies on the Pacific Ocean at the estuary of the San Diego River, at the western terminus of Interstate 8. It is approximately from Downtown San...
with his wife Teresa and his daughter and son.
Corruption scandal
Zucchet became acting Mayor after Dick MurphyDick Murphy
Richard M. Murphy is a former U.S. politician. He served as the 33rd Mayor of San Diego, California from 2000 to 2005-Early life:...
resigned July 15, 2005. But three days later, he too resigned after he was convicted in U.S. District Court of one count of conspiracy, five counts of wire fraud and three counts of extortion. This was in connection with a scheme involving fellow City Councilman Ralph Inzunza
Ralph Inzunza
Ralph Inzunza was a San Diego City Council District Eight representative elected in February 2001 who resigned in 2005 along with Councilman Michael Zucchet after being involved in a corruption scandal...
to get the city's "no touch" laws at strip clubs repealed.
On November 10, 2005, citing lack of evidence, a judge overturned the convictions against Zucchet. He acquitted Zucchet on seven of the original nine charges and ordered a new trial on the remaining two indictments. The convictions against two co-defendants were upheld.
On September 1, 2009, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Zucchet's acquittals. In the decision, the Court emphasized the lack of evidence against Zucchet.
The remaining two charges against him were finally dropped in 2010.
See also
List of California public officials charged with crimes, San DiegoExternal links
- http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/probe/20051110-2036-acquittal.html
- http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/probe/20050718-1527-bn18trial5.html
- http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07/07/news/sandiego/20_18_557_6_05.txt
- http://genesis.sannet.gov/infospc/templates/cd2/about.jsp
- http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/01/14/housing/897elcortez011408.txt
- http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/01/17/news/01elcortez011708.txt
- http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/01/bn01appeal112312/
- http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2009/09/01/05-50902.pdf