Mission Viejo Councilman Is Censured Over Meeting

The City Council censured Councilman William S. Craycraft on Monday night, claiming that he gave confidential information about a planned auto mall to Laguna Hills officials, who are suing Mission Viejo over that mall.

City officials claimed that Craycraft met with Laguna Hills officials in January and passed along sensitive information about the city’s efforts to develop a valuable, 49-acre commercial site near Pacific Park Road and Interstate 5.

After the 4-1 censure vote, which carries no punitive action, the council passed an urgency measure that makes disclosing information from the council’s closed sessions a misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Craycraft, who is running for reelection on Nov.3, denied the charges, saying his meeting with Laguna Hills Mayor Melody Carruth and City Manager Bruce Channing was purely social.

“I’ve done nothing to hurt the citizens of this great community,” he told the council. “This is nothing more than a concerted effort by my four colleagues to defame me.”

But his council colleagues expressed disbelief over Craycraft’s version of the meeting.

“I was hoping for a much better explanation from you, Mr. Craycraft,” said Councilwoman Susan Withrow. “This is the most disgusting, dishonest action I’ve ever been exposed to.”

Laguna Hills has opposed Mission Viejo’s efforts to help the Mission Viejo Co. build on the site, saying an auto mall would adversely affect nearby residential neighborhoods in Laguna Hills.

When Laguna Hills filed an appeal of the project to the Public Utilities Commission, Mission Viejo sued its neighbor for allegedly obstructing the construction.

Laguna Hills Mayor Carruth, contacted at home Monday night, confirmed Craycraft’s version of events.

“We’ve made a real commitment in Laguna Hills to meet with members of neighboring communities,” she said. “Since when is it improper for two city officials to discuss regional issues?”

Council candidate Gary Manley, a Craycraft supporter, said he was “suspicious of the handling and timing of this, just over a week before the election.”

However, council members said they did not hear of the allegations before late Monday afternoon.

Mayor Sharon Cody said she found the censure vote “to be a sad moment. I do not enjoy this moment when one of my colleagues is reprimanded by the council.”