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FBI agents interviewing San Luis Obispo County officials

May 15, 2020

By KAREN VELIE

FBI agents have interviewed four San Luis Obispo County supervisors in their homes in the last five days, county officials say.

The interviews lasted as little as 30 minutes and as long as three hours. Agents asked the supervisors about process, harassment and corruption, county officials say. The specifics of the FBI investigation have not been released by federal authorities.

For years, however, people involved in development and cannabis businesses have alleged a group of consultants, politicians and goverment staffers have participated in pay-to-play schemes, which CalCoastNews has exclusively reported. The allegations are widespread, and include city and county governments.

Amid allegations of pay-to-play regarding the approval of marijuana retail shops in Grover Beach, then-councilwoman Debbie Peterson resigned in Feb. 2019, noting widespread corruption. She later accused former Mayor John Shoals and current Mayor Jeff Lee of taking bribes. Both Lee and Shoals denied the allegations.

Earlier this year, FBI agents raided Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee’s home, said several Grover Beach city sources, who asked not to be disclosed. Lee did not respond to requests for comment regarding the alleged raid.

During the early morning hours of March 11, FBI agents served a search and seizure warrant under seal to the County of San Luis Obispo. Agents then searched Supervisor Adam Hill’s office on the fourth floor, a county official said. Hours after the search, Hill was taken to Arroyo Grande Hospital following a suicide attempt. He was released on March 12 after being placed on a psychiatric hold following a reported overdose, according to county sources.

Agents searched Hill’s Pismo Beach home the same day that agents searched his office. The last agent left the Hill home around noon, said a photographer for CalCoastNews parked outside Hill’s home.

On March 30, Hill confirmed he attempted suicide earlier in the month, which he attributed to the stresses of running for office and ongoing mental health issues.

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While I welcome this news, I thought most on this board—who seem to be Trump supporters—would be suspicious of the FBI. After all, Trump recently labeled them as “human scum.” Funny how people change their attitudes about law enforcement when it suits their purpose.


-51

Not exactly true. POTUS was referring specifically to a few FBI leadership folks, including Director Comey. So you think what these few did, attempting to perpetrate a fraud on the American electorate was OK?


Trump repeatedly said he had faith and trust in the vast majority of America’s premier law enforcement agency.


Just a fact wether you like Trump or not.


44

What fraud? Even the Republican led intelligence committee concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election on behalf of Trump. Their interference has been successful. Putin got what he wanted as America, in the words of former Republicans, has become “weaker and sicker and poorer” under Trump, not to mention that we are no longer a shining city on a hill which the rest of the world looks up to. We are the epicenter of the worst pandemic since 1918 (yes, not 1917, as the imbecilic Trump continues to spout). Rather than admiring us, the rest of the world now pities us.


-22

Trump has claimed trust to law enforcement agencies when in his favor and when not being investigated as his actions often indicate, and it doesn’t help when he states, “… dirty filthy cops…” regardless to whom he is pointing his finger, which by extension undermines law enforcement in general. It’s myopic to think it’s only toward the FBI.

As for the SLO supervisors their interests seems to have come first. It’s long over due for the federal bureau to get in touch with these folks.


10

S-l-o-w-l-y, but s-l-o-w-l-y the rope is getting tighter. Any bets on which Super will rat out the others to save their own neck? This is beginning to make the corruption in Bell look like a small time crime. Stay tuned for the next episode in Peyton Place on the Central Coast.


57

Hill and all those who helped him should be locked up and the key thrown away. Been waiting years for Hill to get caught. Who voted him in, in the first place? How did he get so powerful? Who is making money from his antics?


55

In 2016, it was Pismo and Grover Beach precincts that gave Hill the win. The Pismo Preserve was very popular, and Dan Carpenter, Hill’s opponent, was portrayed as against the Preserve. Carpenter wanted to limit SLO City’s contribution to a preserve in the Pismo area. Also, Hill had ample funds. I haven’t reviewed the 2020 election.


-2

Karen, you ought to sell your story to Netflix for the next TV drama. “The Dirty Supervisor.”


59

Adam Hill played by Danny DeVito


52

No no no. Harvey Weinstein.


33

Danny DeVito is an actor, Hill and Weinstein are characters. Though Hill or Weinstein playing each other sure looks more accurate on the face of it than DeVito in either role DeVito is the trained actor.


-3

Really, Obispan? You are taking this too seriously. We’re just having fun.


11

DeVito is far too attractive a personality. It should be Jabba the Hut.


11

No surprises here, but perhaps at long last justice. Bad boys bad boys — whatcha gonna do when they come for you?!


48

I know, I know! Pretend all my bad behavior springs from mental illness and then try to soak the County for some kind of early or medical retirement. Yeah, right.


25

Karen and CCN have out-scooped the Tribune again. Adam Hill: the end is niegh…


70

This is like the 8th shoe to drop! How many feet does this centipede have?


64

Hopefully, more like a cat, 9 lives and the count is running…


7

Oh, and the Photo of the Board is one year out of date. Lynn Compton is the current Chair of the Board, succeeding Adam Hill when he resigned as Chair. Bruce Gibson is the current Vice Chair, and by the Board’s rotation policy, is in line to be Chair in 2021.


21

The noose is tightening.


54
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