Non-citizenship forces legal alien to resign from city council
Cuban-born legal resident Zoila Meyer has resigned from the Adelanto, CA, city council after a probe revealed she is not a US citizen. She was brought from Cuba to the United States by her parents as a small child, but she was, for whatever reason, never naturalized.
An investigation by the San Bernardino County district attorney’s public integrity unit led to Meyer’s decision to step down only seven weeks after she was sworn into office.
“At the request of the city of Adelanto, (we) initiated an investigation into the residency and citizenship qualifications of newly elected City Council member Zoila Meyer,” Deputy District Attorney Frank Vanella said.
“Working with federal agencies, the investigation confirmed (she) is not a citizen of the United States … and therefore is ineligible to hold elected office.”
After advising Meyer of the results of the inquiry, she concluded “the proper course was to submit her resignation to the city,” Vanella said. “On Thursday, she notified the District Attorney’s Office that she had resigned in writing, effectively immediately.”
Vanella said Meyer cooperated with investigators.
An investigation into any criminal violations continues, the prosecutor said.
“There’s a possibility she could face criminal prosecution for potential violations,” he said.
