San Bernardino officials again have denied City Councilwoman Treasure Ortiz’s allegations that police unlawfully targeted her in a politically motivated background check.
In March, Ortiz filed a $2 million legal claim, alleging San Bernardino police used the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, or CLETS to investigate her for political purposes.
“The city of San Bernardino rejects Councilmember Ortiz’s recent allegations against police Chief Darren Goodman,” according to a statement Mayor Helen read into the record at the public conclusion following a closed-session meeting to discuss the potential litigation. “These statements are false, inflammatory, and without evidence.
“The Mayor and City Council unanimously stand firmly with our Police Department,
“The CLETS action in question was lawful and compliant with (California Department of Justice) policy.
“We will defend against frivolous claims, and the Council remains committed to the truth, unity, and public safety,” Tran said.
At a City Hall news conference Aug. 12, Ortiz said she learned Goodman told community members that if she continued her claim into a lawsuit filing, he would make certain “non-public records” available. Ortiz called the alleged comments “a threat” and “blackmail,” adding that she “will never, ever be threatened to be quiet and not expose corruption in this city.”
Goodman denied Ortiz’s accusations, according to published reports.
“I have not made any threats, of any kind, directly or indirectly to Councilwoman Ortiz,” the chief said. “This is another one to add to the long list of lies she has told since this investigation began.”
Ortiz’s claim alleges former SBPD Detective Steve Desrochers, then-vice president of the San Bernardino Police Officers Association, illegally did a search on the Ward 7 councilwoman using CLETS in 2019 and 2020. CLETS is a confidential database to which only law enforcement officers have access. Overseen by the state DOJ, misuse has led to criminal prosecutions statewide.
Two county residents spoke in favor of Ortiz’s legal action that they characterized as an effort to expose corruption. Another community member cautioned against making public allegations rather than allowing to legal process to objectively resolve the matter.
Ortiz filed her claim with the city March 28. In May, the council voted 6-0 to reject it. Ortiz has six months from the claim’s submission to file a lawsuit.
