Former councilman appointed to head of SD union

Former City Councilman Michael Zucchet was chosen to head the San Diego Municipal Employees Association, it was announced Friday.

Zucchet, who was selected following a nationwide search, has been the SDMEA’s acting general manager since Judie Italiano resigned in May amid an investigation into her use of the union’s credit cards.

“I am extremely excited and honored to have been chosen,” Zucchet said in a statement. “MEA has a strong track record of effectiveness and success. I look forward to building on that success as well as helping to unleash what I believe is a significant amount of untapped potential as an organization.”

Zucchet was elected to the San Diego City Council in 2002. He resigned in 2005 amid the “stripper-gate” City Hall bribery scandal. Zucchet was acquitted of charges that he accepted bribes from a Las Vegas strip club owner who was seeking to overturn the city’s so-called “no- touch” ordinance at adult entertainment venues.

However, former Councilman Ralph Inzunza was convicted in the case and was sentenced to 21-months in prison, but has been free pending an appeal. The SDMEA represents about 4,000 white-collar city employees.

Tags: Michael Zucchet, San Diego City Council, san diego unions, SDNN

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