Ahead of our interview at 2 PM PST live at Zennie62 YouTube Channel here ,
Tracy, California Mayor Nancy Young sent a copy of this statement she wrote calling for the ouster of her City Attorney, Bijal M. Patel. This in the wake of Ms. Patel’s lack of attention paid to the maintenance of her own license to practice law in the State of California, causing it to lapse, and making the former Oakland City Attorney’s Office employee ineligible to hold her position.
Then, the license was reinstated August 1st, and while it was reported she was terminated, that decision falls to the Tracy City Council as per its Charter, and the Mayor is the leader of that body. She’s calling for a special meeting for this Monday, August 7th. Here’s Mayor Young’s statement.
Ineligible Practice of Law in the State of California by Tracy City Attorney Bijal Patel – Mayor Nancy Young
I have received numerous questions from Tracy residents since the State Bar, responsible for disciplining wayward attorneys, suspended the City Attorney’s license to practice law, making her “involuntarily inactive”
This is a very serious matter. A requirement to serve as city attorney and advise the City on legal matters is being a member in good standing in the State Bar. Here Ms. Patel’s membership was suspended.
As a result, she was practicing law without a license, a violation of State Law. Furthermore, by not notifying the City that her license had been suspended, she falsely presented herself as a licensed attorney. These misdeeds are misdemeanors under State Law subject to jail time and/or fines.
Her employment contract calls for her to be immediately terminated in the event she is unable to perform the functions of a city attorney or has her license suspended. Here there is no dispute: her license was suspended, her right to practice law revoked, and therefore she was unable to fulfill the responsibilities of a city attorney.
Her employment terminated on July 1 when the State Bar suspended her right to practice law.
The emplovment contract does not require a public hearing, formal decision or provide for a cure period. Simply stated: Immediately means immediately. There is no legal difference between being placed on “involuntary inactive” status and having your license suspended. Ms. Patel was placed on involuntary inactive status because her license was suspended. In that case, her employment terminated on July 1.
Her unlawful actions have also put the city at risk and potentially invalidates and nullifies any contracts, negotiations, and actions taken by her during the month of July. Our city has been compromised and research still must be conducted to uncover the financial implications for our City. In addition, all salary she has received and any benefits the City has paid for after July 1 is a waste of taxpayer money.
Because the City Attorney directly reports to the Tracy City Council, the City and City Manager’s office has been limited in its response. However, I am calling on our Tracy community, residents and businesses to hold accountable and transparent us, your city officials.
I am calling on my fellow City Councilmembers to ensure the Agreement between the City and Ms. Patel remains revoked as of July 1, as per the self-executing terms of the employment agreement. Due to the urgency of the matter, on August 2, 2023 I immediately called for an emergency special meeting; however, due to scheduling challenges, the first available opportunity for the Council to convene will be Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5pm in Tracy Council Chambers. I urge the public to attend this meeting and insist that Ms. Patel be removed from public office immediately.
Thank you for reporting what is happening in the city of Tracy. Many Residents know that there are problems with the majority of the City Council, but not how serious the problems are. Your reporting will hopefully start investigations, to uncover the wrong doings and harm the majority of the City Council guided by the City Attorney have done.
Thank you, very much, Ms. Peterson. I pray the City of Tracy ignores the satanic spectre of MAGA political behavior and focuses on solving economic problems for its residents and small businesses.