S. Lake Tahoe Medical Pot Dispensary Under Investigation For Allegedly Bribing Councilwoman
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) - A pot shop shut down, a drug bust, and a bribe?
One city council woman is now part of an expanding investigation.
The investigation centers on allegations of a pot shop being used as a front for drug dealing, involving the bribing a public official.
She says she has no intention of stepping down, insisting she's done nothing wrong. But as documents show, City Councilwoman Angela Swanson is at the center of an investigation into whether or not she took a bribe.
"I'm shocked; I think all of council is shocked," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Claire Fortier.
It all surrounds a now-shuttered South Lake Tahoe medical pot dispensary.
Its former owner Gino Dimatteo is accused of bribing a public official and possession of drugs for sale.
Then, there is Swanson, who has not been charged with a crime.
Several months ago, the city council considered a request from Dimatteo to move his pot shop, or else it would have to close.
It was voted down 3-2, with the two yes votes coming from Swanson and Fortier.
"There seemed to be nothing amiss. There still seems to be nothing amiss," said Fortier.
The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office isn't commenting about the bribe.
CBS13 obtained a letter thanking Dimatteo for a donation of more than $1,100 to the Tahoe Educational Foundation, of which Swanson is a board member.
Another letter was obtained from the DA's office offering Dimatteo immunity in exchange for testifying against Swanson.
"Come on, she's a nice lady. She's served on the school board, has kids here, single mom. I mean, come on, this is not Chicago for crying out loud," said Ted Long, Dimatteo's attorney.
Swanson wasn't home for comment, but in a statement says it's an affront to learn she's under investigation.
"It is a privilege to be entrusted with the public's faith in my integrity and ability as a public official. I have not done anything to intentionally betray that trust," the statement read.
The mayor says she supports Swanson until the evidence proves otherwise.
"It is so easy to throw a politician under the bus, so I would certainly give her the benefit of the doubt," said Fortier.
Swanson says, on legal and ethical grounds, she will remove herself of any council matters involving medical marijuana, Dimatteo, or the DA investigation.
The DA's office wouldn't say whether it expects to file charges against Swanson.
