Napa County Assessor Accused Of Malfeasance, Conflict Of Interest

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A Napa County Grand Jury has accused County Assessor John Tuteur with "willful and corrupt misconduct" in office regarding property tax assessments. The accusations of malfeasance, misfeasance and conflict of interest dated March 14 include failure to obtain necessary information to make accurate assessments of Williamson Act farmland, conflict of interest regarding assessments on his property, and participating in government decisions in which he has a financial interest.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office recused itself from prosecuting the accusations, and Tuteur was ordered to appear before the Attorney General's Office to respond to the accusations on April 24.

"I plan to put on a vigorous defense," Tuteur said in a written statement Wednesday. "I believe my reputation for integrity and my 40 years of public service will stand me in good stead in this matter. The accusation is just that and it is not necessarily accurate."

The Grand Jury on March 8 also requested that the Attorney General's Office sue Tuteur and his sister for allegedly not paying $20,000 in property taxes on the family's ranchland they leased out for a cellular tower.

Tuteur said he and his sister, co-trustees of a family trust, will cooperate in determining the correct assessment of the income from leasing land for the tower.

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By Bay City News Service

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