Mayor's Full Statement on Beaumont Investigation

Beaumont Mayor Brenda Knight reassured residents at Thursday’s Special Meeting of the Beaumont City Council that the City will overcome current issues:

“Despite raids, lawsuit, Beaumont’s future is bright. These are challenging times in the City of Beaumont. Earlier this week, investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI served search warrants at our Civic Center, the home of our city manager, and the offices of Urban Logic Consultants, a company that has provided engineering, planning, and economic services for the city over the past 20 years.

• Mayor: “Despite the Raids and Lawsuit, Beaumont’s Future is Bright”
• Beaumont Calls for Special Council Meeting After DA, FBI Raid
• Beaumont: City is ‘Fully Cooperating’ With District Attorney, FBI
• UPDATED WITH PHOTOS, VIDEO: FBI, DA’s Office Serve Warrants at Beaumont City Hall, Urban Logic

“We are also in the midst of appealing a judge’s decision last year that, in essence, said we should stop building our own roads and instead turn infrastructure funds over to the Western Riverside Council of Governments.

For more than 100 years, Beaumont has been a tight-knit community, known as one of the region’s largest apple growers and finest places to live, work, and especially play.

Since 2000, we have enjoyed a significant jump in population, making us one of California’s fastest-growing cities. At more than 40,000 residents, today we are becoming a big city with a small town feel.

I briefly share a little of our history because I m confident that Beaumont will continue to shine deep into the future, despite the negative light being cast upon us today.

Unfortunately, investigators are keeping quiet about the focus of their inquiry — so there is not much I can share.

As Mayor, I want the public to know that the City Council, city staff and I will cooperate fully with investigators.

Members of the media and others are asking hard questions about how the City does business. I trust the District Attorney’s office will provide a full report to the public once the investigation is complete, and I intend to share whatever information I can as I obtain it.

Next month, I will be called upon to make Beaumont’s annual “State of the City” address. Undoubtedly, the investigation will be at the top of everybody’s mind.

Beaumont has a bright and storied past, and I believe our future is equally bright, no matter the outcome of current events.”

While recent events are undeniably a distraction, we will continue to focus our attention on providing outstanding service to our residents, maintaining and enhancing public safety and innovating new ways to encourage economic development.”

--Statement and photo provided by the City of Beaumont