Stockton City Manager Investigates $50K Funds Misuse by Vice Mayor

The Stockton city manager's office has launched an internal investigation into the use of $50,000 from the city's Risk Mitigation Fund for the Wild 'N Out comedy event, reportedly without proper authorization. Vice Mayor Jason Lee, who facilitated the event and has personal ties to the performers, is at the center of the controversy, with the city manager expressing concerns that administrative and policymaking boundaries may have been crossed. Lee denies wrongdoing, calling the investigation a politically motivated retaliation linked to his own inquiries into budget and hiring issues, and has called for an independent investigation. The event, headlined by Nick Cannon, was held in May and was considered a success in terms of attendance and city engagement. Mayor Christina Fugazi emphasized that disbursement of city funds should go through the city manager's office, highlighting procedural concerns. The inquiry aims to clarify how the funds were authorized and to restore proper oversight and trust in city administration.