*Stockton City Council members voted 4-2 Tuesday night to remove Jason Lee as vice mayor after rejecting his attempt to resign. Lee, who remains the elected District 6 councilmember, left the meeting before the final vote.
According to The Stockton Record, a substitute motion to accept Lee’s resignation failed 4-3. Mayor Christina Fugazi then secured enough votes to remove him, with support from Brando Villapudua, Michele Padilla and Mariela Ponce.
Lee handed his nameplate to a resident before leaving, saying he had a flight to catch. “See y’all later,” he said.
The council also voted 6-1 to remove Lee from its Audit Committee, where he had scrutinized city spending. CBS Sacramento reported that Lee cast the only opposing vote.
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Lee challenged the removal process, arguing that officials improperly placed the matter on the consent agenda, normally reserved for routine decisions. He also questioned public notice and alleged that earlier closed-door discussions exceeded California’s Brown Act requirements.
“My purpose was not given to me by this council, and it cannot be taken away by a vote of this council,” Lee said.
Interim City Attorney Donald Larkin acknowledged uncertainty over the council’s authority to revoke the appointment before Lee’s term expired December 31. “It’s ambiguous in that regard,” he said.
Fugazi appointed Lee in January 2025, but their relationship deteriorated amid disputes over transparency, spending and council conduct.
She acknowledged communication problems, saying, “I apologize for that,” followed by, “I will say that that is on me.”
Sixteen residents addressed the council, offering sharply different assessments of Lee’s leadership. Some defended his oversight efforts, while others criticized his treatment of city staff.
The dispute follows an earlier investigation into a Stockton entertainment event involving Lee. EURweb previously reported that investigators found no legal or ethical violations connected to the event.
Lee maintained that losing his leadership titles would not change his commitment to South Stockton and Weston Ranch.
“I came to serve the people of Stockton, especially my friends and my family and my neighbors in South Stockton and Weston Ranch who entrusted me with their representation,” he said. “No vote can take that responsibility away.”
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