Larry Romero Won’t Give Back Money Unless Everyone Else Does

The ethics committee has finally concluded their investigation into Larry Romero and has determined that he did commit some ethical violations.  Since he had already resigned, the only thing they could do was have him sign a letter of reprimand acknowledging his wrong doing.  According to KFOX, there were three times the ethics commission found Romero violated city code in relation to two different street projects:  the use of city funds to repave Polk Street where he also owned property and that he pushed for the use of city funds to repave an alleyway used by two of his campaign contributors.

Of course, that is not the end of the story.  Larry Romero continues to receive a paycheck from the City, even though he resigned and he will continue to be paid until his successor is chosen.  Even though the law allows his continued pay, he does not have to accept the money.  Romero’s response?  “You ask every other city rep if they’re going to give back the check for every meeting they’ve missed. I guarantee you they’re not.”  But, that isn’t really the same thing.  Every other city rep hasn’t resigned from their job whereas Romero has.  He has said that he is not doing the job and has no intention of doing the job but is upset that people are asking him to return the money for a job that he isn’t doing.