Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi clarified the city council's decision to remove Vice Mayor Jason Lee from his title and audit committee role, citing concerns about his behavior and alleged misuse of power.
STOCKTON, Calif. —
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi is issuing some clarity as to why the City Council voted to reject the vice mayor's resignation last night and remove his title instead, with claims Jason Lee abused his power.
“To throw out accusations that are false to try to get likes, clicks, to pimp out the city of Stockton is intolerable,” Fugazi said.
This comes after a contentious city council meeting Tuesday night.
It started with Lee attempting to resign before Mayor Christina Fugazi moved forward with a formal vote to oust him instead.
“I am requesting by making a motion to remove Councilmember Jason Lee as my vice mayor,” Fugazi said.
In response, Jason Lee said, “My purpose was not given to me by this council and it cannot be taken away by a vote of this council.”
The vote was 4-2. Councilmembers Michael Blower and Mario Enriquez were the only two who voted no.
Lee left the chambers before the vote to catch a flight to the East Coast.
Stockton residents were left with questions after Jason Lee was stripped of his vice mayor and audit positions.
Now, less than 24 hours after that meeting, the mayor is providing more details as to why she says Lee was removed as both vice mayor and chair of the Audit Committee.
“It doesn't change anything on the surface, but moving forward, we want to bring everyone together,” Fugazi said. “We do not want this clown show to continue. There are people in this city that depend on us each and every day. We want to focus on the work.”
On Wednesday, Mayor Christina Fugazi doubled down on her decision to vote Jason Lee out of his position as vice mayor.
In a news conference, Fugazi stated that although the city charter and council policy aren't clear about how the process works, she says she still has legal authority.
“We need to clean up the charter,” Fugazi said. “We need to clean up our council policy. It is very vague and ambiguous. We do have legal authority. I have authority in terms of who I choose to be. My vice mayor. Council confirms it. If council chooses to change that after I put it out there, as was seen last night, they have the authority to do it.”
Despite Lee having 11 weeks left of his term, councilmembers say change needs to happen now.
“We are tired of the behavior,” District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla said. “We are tired of the bullying. We are tired of the embarrassment that has put on this city across the country. There are people across the country watching us and, as you know, calling us a circus. And that has to stop.”
When asked about Lee's removal from the Audit Committee, Fugazi brought up concerns about money he owed to the city.
“The checks were from Hollywood Cares to the city of Stockton,” Fugazi said. “They were for the show mobile for National Night Out in 2025 and for National Night Out in 2026, and for Toys for Joy. That was in December of 2025. So those are the three checks, and they totaled nearly $5,000.”
During Wednesday's City Council meeting, Jason Lee said the city received all of the money that was owed.
The mayor says these actions, along with use of the Audit Committee for personal investigations, led to Lee's removal from that committee.
“When we have a member that uses a committee for personal investigations, for personal gain, and then to have it come out that there is mismanagement of their personal funds, we have to make a change,” Fugazi said.
Fugazi said she wanted to address residents saying the council's actions were in violation of the grand jury report.
“I would say it's the opposite,” Fugazi said. “I would say it's us trying to clean it up, that we are not going to let these things happen in public. If you want to have a conversation in private, let's go have that conversation. But we set the tone for the entire city of Stockton, and enough is enough.”
Fugazi also addressed District 6 residents, making it clear they still have representation from Lee, as he will remain a councilmember.
“I will tell members of the district today, I fight for you too,” Fugazi said. “I work for you too. I'm over the entire city. I'm not on all those committees, but yet I represent all people in the city of Stockton.”
A University of the Pacific professor says councilmembers have to be honest with residents in order to move in the right direction.
“It's not on the voters and the citizens to try and figure out what's happening and why,” political science professor Keith Smith said. “We just don't have that information. Right. It's private. And so we have to rely on them to tell us what's going on.”
Jason Lee released a statement today, saying in part:
“I remain the Councilmember for District 6, with a full vote on this Council, and my commitment to the residents who elected me hasn't changed. I'll keep pushing for the Grand Jury' good governance and full cooperation with the State Controller's current audit, and the investments our neighborhoods need, prioritizing the people of Stockton over politics.”
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