Local Attorney Asks San Diego Mayor To Resign

A San Diego lawyer who sued to stop the convention center expansion and renewal of the city's Tourism Marketing District called Wednesday for Mayor Bob Filner to resign.

Cory Briggs faxed a letter to the mayor's office, saying that "long- term damage" to the principles of open government would be caused if Filner were to remain in office.

"At this point, I cannot maintain my credibility in the community as an advocate for good government while pretending that your office has not been irreversibly compromised," Briggs wrote.

He said his "request" was made reluctantly, since he shares the mayor's views on what's wrong with the city and the ways to fix the problems.

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

When the mayor took office in December, he created a position of director of open government and named former Councilwoman Donna Frye to the post. She resigned three months ago to take the helm of a statewide nonprofit, and Filner's office is still in the process of hiring a replacement, according to Francisco Estrada, his liaison to the City Council.

Briggs also said he filed lawsuits to nullify City Council approval of a waiver of municipal policy on setbacks for a developer that donated $100,000 to the city, and to force the release of an unredacted transcript of a contentious closed session between Filner, the City Council and lawyers from the City Attorney's Office.

The mayor berated one of the city's top lawyers and ordered his removal by police, according to a redacted transcript of the meeting that was recently provided to reporters.

It was reported last week that federal investigators will look into an about-face by the mayor's office on the setback policy waiver for Sunroad Enterprises, which is constructing apartment buildings in Kearny Mesa. The shift came around the same time the company made the donation, which was later returned.

Filner blamed the donation on ex-Deputy Chief of Staff Allen Jones, who recently resigned. Jones told reporters he left his job because of the way the mayor treats his employees.

On Monday, it was learned that the 70-year-old mayor's 48-year-old fiancee has called off their relationship. Bronwyn Ingram said she would no longer pursue projects to help San Diego's homeless.