Mann Has 'No Comment' Regarding Alleged Misconduct

Nearly two weeks after being accused of misconduct in his last election campaign, Menifee Mayor Scott Mann said Sunday night he had no comment on the situation.

Mann has not returned phone messages since Menifee resident Anne Pica made the accusations during the Sept. 17 City Council meeting, in which Mann was absent. Pica told the other council members during public comments that Mann paid for the printing of 2,000 fliers with negative comments against his opponent for mayor, Darcy Kuenzi, and city council candidate Sue Kristjansson in the 2012 election.

The fliers were distributed anonymously and included statements Kuenzi and Kristjansson said were not true. Mann defeated Kuenzi in the mayoral race and Kristjansson lost her city council seat. Pica, who supported Mann in the 2012 election, called him a "hypocrite" during the Sept. 17 meeting.

Candidates for office sign a pledge that they will not take part in negative comments against opponents and will denounce such actions if they become aware of them.

The only responses from Mann regarding the situation were a Sept. 19 email to Menifee 24/7 saying "I have not admitted to anything" and a response Sunday night to an emailed question saying he had no comment.

Wednesday night's City Council meeting will be Mann's first appearance before the general public since the allegations were made. He did indicate in a separate email that he will attend the Oct. 9 Candidates Forum sponsored by Menifee 24/7 at Paloma Valley High School.

That forum will begin at 6 p.m. in the campus theater. It is free and open to the public. Readers may submit questions to the candidates by sending an email to menifee247info@gmail.com. Questions from the audience that night will not be allowed.