The new suit claims that recall proponents engaged in a "bait and switch" scheme to deceive voters and gather signatures for the recall petition.
LEMON GROVE, Calif. — Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow has filed a lawsuit against organizers of a recall effort, alleging fraud in their attempt to remove her from office. The legal action, filed in San Diego County, claims that recall proponents engaged in a "bait and switch" scheme to deceive voters and gather signatures for the recall petition.
"The recall is not about policies; it's not anything I've really done. It is a bad case of sour grapes," said Snow.
According to the lawsuit, recall organizers created a false notice of intention that included unsubstantiated claims about Snow's involvement in a "sprawling federal investigation into corruption in cannabis licensing." The suit alleges that this information was used to gather signatures, but the reasons for the recall were later changed.
"When they went to turn it in, they switched out the list of reasons, so it was a bait and switch," said Snow.
Kenneth King, one of the lead defendants named in the lawsuit, denied the allegations. "I maintain that the language of the recall petition that was accepted was accurate and unchanged at the time that signatures were collected and returned to the city for final approval," he told CBS 8 in an email.
Snow, who was elected in November, views the recall effort as an attempt to disrupt progress in Lemon Grove.
"Their candidate didn't win, so now they're trying to disrupt the good things that are happening in the city," said Snow.
The lawsuit seeks to immediately halt the circulation of the allegedly fraudulent petition. Snow emphasized the importance of addressing the issue, saying, "Election fraud is not acceptable, and so I am fighting to make sure that this does not happen to our community."
Many Lemon Grove residents expressed frustration with the recall effort and subsequent legal battle, viewing them as a waste of time and resources.
"It's not getting anything accomplished, there's no point in it, there's more important stuff," said Jett Aceves, a Lemon Grove resident.
Another resident, Tanya Martin, echoed this sentiment: "Rather than wasting time on legal battles and hearsay and back-and-forth and things like that, I think the time and resources could be used more efficiently in other ways."
Mayor Snow agreed with these concerns, telling CBS 8, "There are real serious issues that we need to be focusing on, and this is taking away from that."
The recall effort, if it proceeds, could cost Lemon Grove taxpayers an estimated $400,000.
Snow highlighted the potential impact on city services, adding, "So really what you have to decide is, do you want to sign this bogus petition, or do you want your streets fixed, or do you want more recreational services for your children, or do you want to lay off public works staff in order to pay for this?"
As the legal process unfolds, it remains unclear how quickly a decision will be made regarding the lawsuit's request to stop the circulation of the recall petition.