Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/fullerton-police/)
Former Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of reckless driving involving alcohol that stems from his 2016 election night car crash when he ran it up a curb, over a tree and attempted to drive off on a flat tire.
Former Fullerton Police Chief Danny Hughes said Monday the investigation of ex-City Manager Joe Felz’ election night car crash was handled in a way that considered “objectivity.”
His arraignment is scheduled for April 3. If convicted, he faces up to one year in county jail.
It’s been four weeks since Fullerton City Manager Joe Felz’ car crash in the wee hours of Nov. 9, and Felz remains on paid leave while the police are continuing what has become a mysterious investigation into the incident.
“We’re completely in the dark,” said Councilman Bruce Whitaker regarding the investigation into City Manager Joe Felz’s accident in a residential neighborhood during the wee hours of Nov. 9 after he had been drinking at election night parties.
City Manager Joe Felz had a “minor” driving accident early Wednesday morning after celebrating at election night parties in downtown Fullerton. Police believed Felz was “emitting an odor of alcohol,” but did not administer a breathalyzer test.
Dan Hughes, who was promoted to chief to clean up the police department following the 2011 beating death of Kelly Thomas, will retire from the department next month and become an executive overseeing security at the Disneyland resort in Anaheim.
Laura Zellerbach, former treasurer of the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club, faces 27 counts of embezzlement and other felonies in connection with $250,000 allegedly taken from the club.
Five years ago, the department earned nationwide scorn for the horrific beating death of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man. Now the department’s homeless liaison unit works with a local nonprofit to get people off the street.
The Fullerton City Council Monday agreed to settle the suit brought by Ron Thomas, the father of the mentally-ill transient who died in 2011 after being beaten by six Fullerton police officers.