Beckie Gomez Resigns From OC Board Of Education Amid Lawsuit

SANTA ANA, CA — Beckie Gomez resigned from the Orange County Board of Education Wednesday after being sued over claims that she is improperly serving on two government agencies.

Gomez announced her resignation at the end of the Board of Education's meeting, and it is effective July 1. The lawsuit, filed by a Santa Ana resident, claims a conflict of interest between Gomez concurrently serving on the Tustin City Council and the Board of Education.

Gomez said she consulted with lawyers before running for the Board of Education, who assured her there was no conflict of interest issues.

"I do not believe there is an incompatibility between the Board of Education and City Council offices," Gomez said.

Gomez's lawsuit isn't the first time a board member was sued for serving in two elected roles.

An Orange County Superior Court judge barred Tim Shaw from serving on the board in April after ruling he may have been improperly appointed to the position while also serving on the La Habra City Council.

Gomez said she did not want this "latest lawsuit to be a further distraction from the mission of the board to educate or students."

"After careful consideration and deep regret, I will be resigning as the Board of Education trustee for Area 1," Gomez said.

Area 1 covers Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Tustin.

"It is my hope that the trustees elected in [the June primary] will appoint a reasonable, judicious colleague who is willing to do the work to represent the students, teachers and families of Orange County to fill my seat," Gomez said.