San Bernardino city attorney reads press release after closed session announcing DA charges against Councilmember Ortiz
January 22, 2026 | San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, California
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The City of San Bernardino announced in closed session that the county district attorney has filed criminal charges against Councilmember and Treasurer Ortiz, and the council voted in closed session to issue a press release about the matter.
City Attorney read the statement to the council and public, saying in part: “Criminal charges filed against San Bernardino City Council member, Treasurer Ortiz. The complaint alleges that Councilmember Treasurer Ortiz intentionally and without consent used an electronic amplifying and recording device to eavesdrop and record confidential communications with San Bernardino Police Department personnel,” the release said. The press release also said Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 19, 2026.
The release notes the city previously retained an independent investigator in a separate civil claim by Ortiz regarding access to the CLETS system. That investigation “confirmed that no one conducted an illegal search of the CLETS system,” and the city’s statement characterized Ortiz’s federal lawsuit seeking over $2 million as a “complete misrepresentation of the facts,” according to the city attorney’s reading.
The release named the city’s litigation counsel in the civil case as attorney Stephen Larson and said Larson reported the independent review found the city’s handling of background searches conformed with audits and law. The city’s statement said it would offer no further comment on the criminal matter, which falls under the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
Councilmember Charette moved to issue the press release and Councilmember Sanchez seconded; the city attorney reported the closed-session vote as 5–0 in favor, with Councilmember Figueroa absent from the closed-session discussion and therefore not recorded as voting.
The city emphasized the matter is now in the hands of the district attorney’s office and said it would not comment further pending prosecutorial action. Ortiz’s arraignment date, according to the release, is Feb. 19, 2026.
City Attorney read the statement to the council and public, saying in part: “Criminal charges filed against San Bernardino City Council member, Treasurer Ortiz. The complaint alleges that Councilmember Treasurer Ortiz intentionally and without consent used an electronic amplifying and recording device to eavesdrop and record confidential communications with San Bernardino Police Department personnel,” the release said. The press release also said Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 19, 2026.
The release notes the city previously retained an independent investigator in a separate civil claim by Ortiz regarding access to the CLETS system. That investigation “confirmed that no one conducted an illegal search of the CLETS system,” and the city’s statement characterized Ortiz’s federal lawsuit seeking over $2 million as a “complete misrepresentation of the facts,” according to the city attorney’s reading.
The release named the city’s litigation counsel in the civil case as attorney Stephen Larson and said Larson reported the independent review found the city’s handling of background searches conformed with audits and law. The city’s statement said it would offer no further comment on the criminal matter, which falls under the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
Councilmember Charette moved to issue the press release and Councilmember Sanchez seconded; the city attorney reported the closed-session vote as 5–0 in favor, with Councilmember Figueroa absent from the closed-session discussion and therefore not recorded as voting.
The city emphasized the matter is now in the hands of the district attorney’s office and said it would not comment further pending prosecutorial action. Ortiz’s arraignment date, according to the release, is Feb. 19, 2026.
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