Opinion No. (2004)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General SUSAN DUNCAN LEE Deputy Attorney General CITIZENS FOR FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT request leave to sue in quo warranto upon the following question: Are Paul Bowlen and John Crawley unlawfully serving as members of the Cerritos City Council due to seeking reelection within two years of serving two consecutive terms on the city council contrary to the provisions of the city charter? CONCLUSION Whether Paul Bowlen and John Crawley are unlawfully serving as members of the Cerritos City Council due to seeking reelection within two years of serving two consecutive terms on the city council contrary to the provisions of the city charter does not present a substantial issue of fact or law requiring judicial resolution. ANALYSIS The City of Cerritos ("Cerritos") is a charter city. Pursuant to the city charter, "any council member who has served two consecutive four year terms shall not be eligible, for a period of two years, to seek reelection or be appointed to the Cerritos City Council." Citizens for Fiscally Responsible Government ("Relator") alleges that Paul Bowlen and John Crawley ("Defendants") have violated this city charter provision by seeking…