2017 South County Wrap Up: Laguna Niguel Leadership, Wireless Control and District Elections

5 Bars communities

By Spencer Custodio | January 4, 2018

South Orange County had its share of challenges in 2017: a Laguna Niguel Mayor stepping down and eventually resigning from the council after being accused of bullying while he found contract cost overruns, two cities switching to district elections and a wireless firm contracting with various cities while making unclear promises of legal protections and taking a large percentage of revenue.

Slusiewicz Resigns from Laguna Niguel City Council After Finding Possible Bullet Hole in Office Window

Jerry Slusiewicz

By Spencer Custodio | December 5, 2017

Councilman Jerry Slusiewicz resigned from the Laguna Niguel City Council Tuesday night, saying someone fired a bullet through his company office window over the weekend.

Anaheim’s Assistant City Manager to Fill Top Role in Laguna Niguel

Laguna Niguel city manager

By THY VO and SPENCER CUSTODIO | November 27, 2017

Anaheim Assistant City Manager Kristine Ridge will be the new city manager for the city of Laguna Niguel beginning in January 2018, after the Laguna Niguel City Council picked as their new top executive.

County Supervisors Secretly Kill A Potential Downtown for Laguna Niguel

Agora Project

By Spencer Custodio | October 23, 2017

The Orange County Board of Supervisors has secretly brought development of downtown Laguna Niguel to an abrupt halt, quietly killing a contract with a developer of county-owned land.

Laguna Niguel City Council Resists Professional Auditing of Vendor Contracts

Jerry Slusiewicz

By Spencer Custodio | October 11, 2017

The Laguna Niguel City Council resisted calls for a contract audit, even though numerous contract overages have surfaced in recent months, and instead moves forward with a procedural audit.

Laguna Niguel Moves to Review Contracts Amid $2.1 Million Maintenance Increase

Elaine Gennawey

By Spencer Custodio | September 25, 2017

The Laguna Niguel City Council is adding more oversight and transparency to dealings with its 674 city contractors by having the council’s Investment Banking Audit Committee start reviewing the contracts and spending.

Laguna Niguel Proceeds With Slusiewicz Investigation

Jerry Slusiewicz

By Spencer Custodio | September 11, 2017

Although Councilman Jerry Slusiewicz resigned as mayor last month, the council moved forward with an investigation into bullying and intimidation claims against him.

Audit Uncovers Cost Overruns in Laguna Niguel

By Spencer Custodio | September 7, 2017

A long-awaited audit that looked at 21 Laguna Niguel vendors found a $410,000 cost overrun in a tree trimming contract among problems that affected eight of the city contractors.

Laguna Niguel Mayor Jerry Slusiewicz Unexpectedly Resigns

By Spencer Custodio | August 14, 2017

“To put it bluntly, my colleagues do not want me as the mayor, and I cannot lead a body suffering from the great disability of indifference,” Slusiewicz said in a statement minutes after resigning.

Laguna Niguel Council Votes Monday on Slusiewicz’ Future as Mayor

By Spencer Custodio | August 14, 2017

The Laguna Niguel City Council will decide Monday on removing the largely ceremonial title of Mayor from Councilman Jerry Slusiewicz, even though the council won’t have its investigative report on the bullying claims against him.