ACLU Sues Over Vacant Seat on City Council
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a suit Monday in federal court, arguing that residents of the 13th Council District have been deprived of representation by the City Council’s refusal to fill the seat.
“Our nation was founded on the principle that taxation without representation is unjust,” said Dan Tokaji, staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California. “But that’s exactly what’s happening to over 250,000 residents of this city.”
Last week, the City Council delayed a decision on whether Jackie Goldberg’s former chief of staff, Sharon Delugach, should be appointed to temporarily fill the seat vacated when Goldberg was elected to the Assembly.
The ACLU lawsuit argues that the continued vacancy violates the City Charter and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
In a letter to council members, City Atty. James K. Hahn said the new City Charter requires them to fill the vacancy “within a reasonable period of time,” but does not define that.
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