A senior municipal official's career has been thrown into turmoil after allegations of a bizarre incident involving a luxury yacht. Elaine Forbes, the newly appointed City Manager for Sausalito in California, is now facing misdemeanor charges following an early morning police response to a noise disturbance at a marina on 18 July.
According to authorities, Ms Forbes was found drinking alcohol on a 66-foot vessel that she had allegedly broken into. The owner of the yacht, Andy Cunningham, reported discovering signs of activity aboard, including an empty bottle of maraschino cherries in a shoebox and four empty wine bottles. A neighbour, Captain Bill Aubrey, who called emergency services, described Ms Forbes as having activated the yacht's horn, windshield wipers, and spotlight. This incident has raised questions about Ms Forbes' judgment and ability to manage her time effectively.
Initially, Ms Forbes was charged with felony burglary, but prosecutors have since downgraded these charges to misdemeanours, including loitering, squatting, and petty theft. The Marin County Sheriff’s Department's spokesperson, Sgt Adam Schermerhorn, noted that yacht theft is a relatively rare occurrence in the area.
The Sausalito City Council has placed Ms Forbes on leave following a private meeting last week, just three weeks after her appointment to the city manager role. The council is currently reviewing her performance and considering the implications of these events for the city's leadership. Ms Forbes previously held the position of director of the Port of San Francisco.
The Forbes family has issued a statement requesting understanding during this difficult period, highlighting the need for 'compassion, patience and respect' as they navigate the complexities of this situation with legal and healthcare counsel being sought.