CHULA VISTA – Councilman Steve Castaneda said he will seek reelection in June to the Chula Vista City Council, despite facing a potential trial on felony perjury charges. “I am putting together my campaign right now, working with folks to assemble a strategy to move toward reelection,” Castaneda said Wednesday. His announcement ended months of speculation by City Hall insiders about whether the court battle would shift his focus from a campaign. Castaneda could not serve on the council if he were convicted of a felony. On Friday, his attorney, Marc Carlos, filed a motion in Superior Court seeking dismissal of the 13 felony perjury counts. “I expect to be completely vindicated of these baseless and politically motivated charges,” Castaneda said. A county grand jury indicted Castaneda in June, after investigating whether he received special treatment while he lived in the Sunbow Villas apartment complex. The complex was being converted to condos. Castaneda did not buy a Sunbow condo and now lives elsewhere. He answered “no” when
asked several times during sworn testimony if he had thought about buying a unit in the complex. Prosecutors believe he once intended to buy one, even though he didn’t ultimately do so. His trial, originally set for September, has been delayed twice. The new trial date is April 7. A judge will consider the motion at a hearing
set for March 11.
p-Facing felony charges, Chula Vista councilman to run for re­election
