SACRAMENTO, Calif — Councilman Sean Loloee has announced his resignation from the Sacramento city council. It comes as he faces a federal indictment for conspiracy, obstruction and falsifying records and other charges in connection with his Viva Supermarkets business.
In a YouTube video announcing his resignation, he opened by blaming Mayor Darrell Steinberg for causing a "politically-motivated circus."
"I'm stepping down because of the recent politically motivated circus that Mayor Steinberg has created in his attempt to cover up his many shortcomings as the mayor of Sacramento," said Loloee. "I love this city and my district too much to let the mayor use my situation as a distraction."
In a news conference responding to Loloee's resignation, Steinberg said he had "no reaction" to Loloee casting blame on him for the resignation.
"Obviously, Councilmember Loloee is under a lot of pressure and I just wish him the best. That's all. He did the right thing, and I wish him the best. I don't have a reaction," said Steinberg.
Steinberg previously said he engaged with Loloee for several weeks about the indictment and its impact on his service as a councilmember. He repeatedly asked him to resign.
"My call last week, and the call of the majority of my city council colleagues, not just me alone... was different. Serious criminal charges involving alleged fraud and obstruction create a cloud not only over Mr. Loloee, but the city itself. These serious criminal charges are simply incompatible with continuing in public office, which is why I think he did the right thing by resigning," said Steinberg.
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.
In regard to the allegations, Loloee has denied them and said he will continue to fight them going forward.
"My resignation is not a concession to my political opponents that any of their allegations are true, or their methods are righteous or not," said Loloee.
As far as the city council seat for District 2, Steinberg said he plans to call for city council to hold their decision until after March 5. He suggested that city council fill the seat with a caretaker only if a winning candidate in the District 2 election avoids a runoff and wins outright. Otherwise, he suggested having city council appoint the winner to fill the slot.
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