Emails reveal Aispuro “wiped out” by Gibson

January 26, 2013

Emails between San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson and his administrative assistant call into question claims he made the day he announced his extramarital affair with his assistant.

On Nov. 16, Gibson told the Tribune that his affair with Cherie Aispuro did not take either of them away from their county responsibilities.

“Both Cherie and I gave 110 percent to this job,” he said. “It’s something we feel is important.”

Gibson’s staunchest defenders continue to insist that the affair did not affect job performance.

However, in an email chain from last April obtained by CalCoastNews, Gibson and Aispuro discuss how an earlier interlude had left both unable to perform their county duties.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on April 12, SLO Board of Supervisor’s Secretary Fran Zohns informs Gibson that one of his constituents wants to discuss the vacation rental ordinance.

Aispuro, who is copied on the exchange, emails Gibson that he should wait to contact the constituent until the next day so that she can eavesdrop. Gibson agrees noting how worn out he is.

“OK, I don’t have the energy to deal with this today anyway,” Gibson says in the email.

Aispuro then admits she has spent the work day in bed.

“I just woke up,” Aispuro writes back at 4:01 p.m. “You wiped me out.”

“Sorry to be so demanding! :-)” Gibson responds.

In November, after Gibson announced his affair, county officials said that even though there is not a county policy against having an affair with a subordinate, Aispuro would be moved to a new permanent position.

Nevertheless, emails between Gibson and Aispuro make the transfer sound temporary.

“Even though I’m on “vacation,” I’m trying to monitor emails,” Aispuro said in an email to Gibson on Nov. 19. “I got ur [sic] back BG.”

Last week, Gibson admitted he had brought his mistress back to work in his office as his subordinate. The county then posted an agreement between Gibson and Aispuro in which they claim they will not sue the county over their affair.

A few days later, a group of District 2 residents posted requests on Facebook and Twitter asking county residents to attend the upcoming Jan. 29 Board of Supervisors meeting and call on Gibson to step down from his position.