Sacramento officials are refusing to release credit card records sought by The Bee and other media outlets in response to the recent scandal involving a mayoral aide's alleged personal use of her city-issued credit card.
In a letter to The Bee sent late Friday, the city attorney's office wrote that the police department has determined that credit card statements for all city employees are evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation of former mayoral staffer Lisa Serna-Mayorga. The Bee has asked for credit card statements for all city workers going back to 2008.
"Premature disclosure of this evidence could hinder voluntary and candid participation in the investigation by city employees and other witnesses, including members of the public," the letter stated. "At this time, the interest in maintaining the integrity of the ongoing investigative process outweighs the public interest served by disclosure."
The city did release the names of 276 employees who have active city-issued credit cards. Officials also released Serna-Mayorga's resignation letter and the city policy on employee credit cards. The resignation letter can be found here: LSM Resignation Letter.pdf
Serna-Mayorga resigned last month after it was determined she used her city-issued credit card to make $9,000 in personal purchases, which sources said including a trip to Disneyland, gasoline and groceries.
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