Adelanto Official Resigns as Citizenship Is Investigated

A newly elected Adelanto councilwoman resigned after authorities determined she was not a U.S. citizen and therefore ineligible to hold elected office, investigators from the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office said Friday.

Councilwoman Zoila Meyer resigned Wednesday, telling her council colleagues that she was leaving her post for personal reasons.

She signed candidacy papers Aug. 3, declaring under penalty of perjury that she was a U.S. citizen.

She won her four-year post in November by 75 votes.

After receiving a tip, the district attorney’s public integrity unit investigated Meyer and determined that she was a legal alien resident but not a U.S. citizen, Deputy Dist. Atty. Frank Vanella said.

Vanella said Meyer resigned after investigators told her about their findings. A criminal investigation is continuing.

Adelanto City Councilman Trinidad Perez said he was surprised to learn that Meyer was not a U.S. citizen.

“We are in the dark about this,” he said.

Meyer could not be reached for comment Friday.