Stockton Councilmember Brando Villapudua was unanimously censured Tuesday for making an obscene hand gesture from the dais at an audience member during a January council meeting.
In a 6-0 vote, Villapudua’s fellow councilmembers unanimously agreed that by making the gesture he violated council rules regarding conduct and decorum. As the subject of the censure proceedings, Villapudua was not permitted to participate in the vote.
While Villapudua, who was allowed a public statement before the council’s vote, described the censure proceedings as a disservice to the “betterment of the community,” he did offer an apology to his district and the city of Stockton.
“I regret any impact that this situation may have had in our community,” Villapudua said, expressing thanks to those who have given him words of encouragement and a continued commitment in working for the city.
“My heart, my soul and my love remain firmly with Stockton and today’s outcome will not alter that dedication. I will continue to show up and advocate for my community with the same passion and resolve as always,” he said.
While the council did not express a consensus during individual comments on the charges brought against Villapudua or how the censure process may be being used, members did mostly agree that he had done something wrong in making the gesture and that it was time to move on from the issue.
“Regardless of what a person says at that podium, regardless of who’s sitting in the stands, regardless of who comes to these doors, we have to give respect to them while they’re here,” Vice Mayor Jason Lee said. “That is the bottom line, and that did not happen.”
The censure was requested by Lee and Councilmember Michele Padilla, who was censured by the council in November for her misuse of public funds. They submitted a complaint Jan. 21 to the city clerk alleging Villapudua violated council policies by making the gesture.
Their primary evidence was a short video posted to the 209 Times website. It came during a heated debate at the Jan. 9 meeting in which City Manager Harry Black was ousted. The video shows Villapudua, who represents District 5, raising his right hand and wiggling his middle finger to rub the corner of his mouth.
A censure ad hoc committee comprised of Mayor Christina Fugazi and councilmembers Mariela Ponce and Mario Enríquez was then formed in early February, which concluded that the action amounted to “a derogatory hand signal” directed toward a member of the public. The council ultimately agreed with committee’s recommendation to censure Villapudua.
Before the vote, Lee said he appreciated Villapudua’s statement, acknowledging his fellow councilmembers’ desire to move forward and taking ownership in reference to his district.
“I will say that I will continue to support the councilman in his district with whatever needs of his community and whatever he needs to get done for the betterment in his district as part of my obligation,” Lee said.