SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg called for Sacramento City Councilman Sean Loloee to resign Thursday after Loloee's federal indictment earlier this month.
Loloee was indicted Dec. 14 by a federal grand jury for conspiracy, obstruction and falsifying records among other charges connected to his Viva Supermarkets business.
"I have been engaged for several weeks in conversation with Councilmember Loloee regarding the federal indictment and its impact on his continued service as a city council member," Steinberg said Thursday in a statement. "I have asked him repeatedly to resign and have not made my request public to give him the space to do the right thing."
The grand jury returned a 25-count indictment against Loloee along with Viva Supermarkets General Manager Karla Montoya. They are both being charged with conspiracy, obstruction of agency proceedings and possession and use of false immigration documents.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Loloee also faces charges for allegedly falsifying records to receive more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Read more about the indictment HERE.
Loloee said he denies the allegations and will continue to fight them going forward.
"I am optimistic about the continued growth and success of District 2 and the city of Sacramento and intend to be fully engaged as I continue to complete my term on the Sacramento City Council," Loloee said Thursday in statement.
Loloee, who pled not guilty to the charges, was not requested by the state of California to be detained and was released on bail to his Granite Bay home on Dec. 14. Loloee's attorney objected to his primary address being listed in Granite Bay opposed to Sacramento.
Steinberg said Loloee has been directed by the courts to remain at his home in Granite Bay, but a requirement to serve on the city council is to reside in the district a councilmember represents.
"I have asked the city attorney to immediately provide the city council with an opinion on whether Mr. Loloee remains legally qualified to hold office in the city of Sacramento," Steinberg said. "Councilmember Loloee should put the city first. We have too much important work to do on behalf of the people of Sacramento for more distraction and controversy."
DIVE DEEPER: More Viva Supermarket employees come forward with complaints against Loloee, market manager
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