Fullerton’s Sa: ‘I’ve Served My Civic Duty’

Beleaguered Fullerton Councilwoman Julie Sa spoke out Tuesday for the first time about her last-minute decision not to seek reelection.

“I want to clear the situation and tell people what the heck is going on,” Sa said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve served eight years, and maybe it’s a good time for me to spend more time with my parents and family. It’s not because of anybody attacking me. That’s just dirty politics.”

Sa has been barraged with questions about whether her permanent residence is a one-bedroom apartment she rents in Fullerton or her family’s 8,200-square-foot Chino Hills estate with helipad, tennis court and swimming pool. She missed Friday’s deadline to file for the November council election.

Sa reiterated at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that she has lived in Fullerton since 1976. She insisted that if she were to seek reelection, she would win, but she decided not to do so after conferring with backers.

“I talked with my whole group,” she said, “and it looked like it would be very nasty. The community could be hurt, but not me. If I run, it might divide the community.”

“It’s time to rest. That’s enough. I’ve served my civic duty.” Questions about Sa’s residency arose earlier this month when John Cross, president of the Fullerton Police Officer Assn., filed a complaint about it with the city. The matter was referred to the Orange County district attorney’s office, then turned over to the state attorney general’s office because an employee in the prosecutor’s office is running for a Fullerton council seat.

The Sa controversy has pitted the police union against top management at the Fullerton Police Department.

Earlier this week, Cross and Andrew Goodrich, association secretary, filed a claim on behalf of the union, saying the city violated members’ rights by telling them not to talk about the Sa issue, said Robert Wexler, an attorney representing the association.