Jun 20, 2008 5:06 pm US/Pacific
Oakland Official Denies Protecting Nephew In Gang
OAKLAND (CBS 5 / BCN) ―
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Oakland Administrator Deborah Edgerly.
City of Oakland
Embattled Oakland Administrator Deborah Edgerly issued a statement Friday denying news reports that Mayor Ron Dellums has asked her to quit for allegedly trying to protect a nephew who's a reputed member of the city's worst gang.
Instead, Edgerly said, "I have had many gracious and warm conversations with Mayor Dellums over the past three days, as recently as this afternoon."
On the news reports, Edgerly said, "The rumors and press stories this week are shocking," saying they "are untrue and unfounded."
Edgerly said she is shocked "because I am being tried in the court of public opinion by rumor, innuendo and presumption of guilt."
She said, "There is obviously much more to this story than can be revealed at this time or in this setting, given that an investigation is now underway."
"What I can say is this: I have not been fired or asked to resign," Edgerly said. "No ultimatums were issued and no decisions have been made. The Mayor has given me several days to assess the situation and we will regroup next week."
Weighing in on the probe, Edgerly said, "I welcome this investigation and am cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities so that the truth will emerge. I am confident that when it does, you will see a very different picture."
Dellums couldn't immediately be reached for comment on Friday.
On Thursday, his spokesman, Paul Rose, described the allegations against Edgerly as "serious."
Rose said, "Rest assured that he (Dellums) is looking into it and will get to the bottom of it."
On Tuesday, the Oakland Police Department said that a three-month investigation called "Operation Nutcracker" resulted in the arrest of 54 members of the Acorn gang, including reputed leader Marc Anthony Candler, and the confiscation of 41 firearms.
According to Oakland police, one of the reputed gang members arrested on Tuesday is William Lovan, a 27-year-old meter repairman for the city of Oakland who is Edgerly's nephew.
Lovan appeared in Alameda County Superior Court Friday on charges of carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle and carrying an unregistered loaded weapon, according to Deputy District Attorney Christy Bowles.
Edgerly is under fire for allegedly attempting to interfere with Oakland police about 10:30 p.m. on June 7 when they towed Lovan's car from a spot next to a West Oakland liquor store because he had a gun inside.
A police report on that incident also describes a conversation between Lovan and Candler.
According to the police report, Edgerly went to the scene and told officers that she was on the phone with Assistant Police Chief Howard Jordan and would be contacting the department's Internal Affairs Division over the matter, according to the report.
In her statement, Edgerly said, "I have lived in Oakland my entire life and dedicated myself to serving it with pride - faithfully and honorably - for more than 20 years. I will not allow these allegations to define my fine career of service to this city that I love."
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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