Accused Burbank Councilwoman Skips Meeting

A week after her arrest on suspicion of drug possession and child endangerment, Burbank Councilwoman Stacey Jo Murphy failed to show up for Tuesday night’s council meeting, yet vowed to complete her four-year term.

In a prepared statement read by City Manager Mary Alvord, Murphy said she would see her term through to its end, but would not attend city meetings until after she appeared before a judge.

“Because my situation will impact the regular course of business, for that reason and that reason alone, I will not attend City Council meetings until after I have appeared in court,” the statement read. “I intend to do the job you elected me to do.” Murphy, 47, was arrested July 13 along with her companion, Scott Schaffer, as part of a broader police investigation into a San Fernando Valley street gang. In Murphy’s home, police found cocaine, three loaded handguns and 900 rounds of ammunition. Murphy is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Burbank on Aug. 25.

Murphy, who was reelected with more than 60% of the primary vote, started her new term in May.

The council’s proceedings were somber Tuesday night, with only a few residents commenting on the councilwoman’s plight.

“We should hold our horses ... and stand by Stacey,” resident Mark Barton said during the public comment period.

Barton, like many other residents, said he had difficulty reconciling the charges with Murphy’s reputation as a civic activist who was once voted “Woman of the Year.”

“I believe that because we know how Stacey is, there’s something definitely wrong here,” he said.

Not everyone shared that view.

“Wherever you are at, Stacey ... at least have the dignity to resign,” said another Burbank resident, Esther Espinoza.

The City Council has not indicated what, if any, action it may take. But if members choose to remove Murphy from her seat, they would need to draw up a resolution, Alvord said.

If the council passes a resolution to vacate Murphy’s seat, the council will hold a special election, according to Burbank’s charter.

Murphy’s absence reduces the council to four members, making it difficult to pass legislation if there is a 2-2 tie, said Jesse Byers, a former City Council candidate. “Ms. Murphy was often a swing vote on some decisions,” Byers said. “It’s definitely going to have consequences with her not being there.”

Meanwhile, Murphy’s close friends say the criminal allegations against the councilwoman are not true.

“She is good for the city,” said Mary Lou Howard, a former mayor and councilwoman who is one of Murphy’s friends. “She has a job to do. She’s not going to give up on that job.”