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Open Vallejo (https://openvallejo.org/category/ethics/)

Ethics

Then-Councilmember Hakeem Brown, who is a Black man in his mid-40s, listens to a speaker out of frame from the dais of the Vallejo City Council chambers. Brown, who is in sharp focus, is wearing glasses and a hoodie, and sports a closely-cropped beard. His colleagues, who are out of focus, are seen behind him. A "City of Vallejo" sign is partially visible on the wall.

Hakeem Brown not Vallejo NAACP president, NAACP leader alleges

By Laurence Du Sault | March 10, 2023

Claiming he found “concerning anomalies” when reviewing a financial report, Brown demanded Secretary Lynda Daniels turn over control of the NAACP’s bank account.

A police car sits in front of a roll-up metal door next to a "police vehicles only" sign in late afternoon light. The door is part of a large brick building. A security camera can be seen near the door.

Open Vallejo cautions city’s lawyers in destruction probe

A middle-aged Black man wearing a suit sits to the right of a blonde woman who appears to be in her sixties. She is wearing glasses, a black top and a brown sweater. Both individuals are seated at a wooden city council dais. An American flag hangs behind them.

Vallejo officials’ handling of evidence destruction probe marked by confusion, concern

A young woman wearing a red top, red shoes and white and red pants holds a bright pink handwritten sign that reads, "Release the tapes!! Killer Cop" She stands in front of a large, off-white sedan from the 1980s or early 1990s. The background is dark and it appears to have been raining.

Senior officials ordered destruction of Vallejo police shooting evidence

Then-San Jose Police Department Capt. Jason Ta, left, poses in the Vallejo City Council chambers for a photograph with Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams minutes after Williams was sworn in as Vallejo's police chief on Nov. 12, 2019. In 2021, Williams recruited Ta to serve as his deputy chief of police.

Deputy police chief arrived impaired to Vallejo homicide, memo alleges

Ethics

Claim alleges false testimony by Vallejo police chief

By Laurence Du Sault, Katy St. Clair and Geoffrey King | November 1, 2021

Former Lt. Herman Robinson, Vallejo’s longest-serving police officer, accused Chief Shawny Williams of making false statements under oath as Williams sought to fire him, records obtained by Open Vallejo show.

City Hall

City manager weakened Mare Island deal after undisclosed meetings with developers

By Chris Roberts | December 2, 2020

Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff met with a Tennessee-based developer without telling key staff or the City Council. When the city’s negotiation team raised concerns, he fired them.

Ethics

‘Domestic violence bordering on torture’: records reveal years of allegations against Vallejo councilmember

By Geoffrey King | October 13, 2020

At least five women have accused Brown of physical violence over the past two decades, an Open Vallejo investigation has found.

Ethics

Vallejo Chief Assistant City Attorney Randy Risner attends the swearing-in ceremony for Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams on November 12, 2019 at Vallejo City Hall.

Vallejo appoints interim city attorney court sanctioned for fraud

By Geoffrey King | January 27, 2020

Vallejo Chief Assistant City Attorney Randy Risner has been fired or abruptly resigned from three cities after coming under media scrutiny.

In 2011, a federal judge sanctioned him for ‘serious’ misconduct involving client funds.

Ethics

Vallejo City Attorney Claudia Quintana

Chief judge: Vallejo city attorney’s letter to court was ‘improper’

By Geoffrey King | August 21, 2019

Vallejo City Attorney Claudia Quintana tried to influence pending criminal cases, Solano County’s chief judge concluded.