Charles L. Lewis (California politician) explained

Charles L. Lewis III
Birth Date:October 3, 1966
Birth Place:Tucson, Arizona
Death Place:San Diego, California
Office:Member of
San Diego City Council
from the 4th district
Term Start:December 2002
Term End:August 8, 2004
Predecessor:George Stevens
Successor:Tony Young

Charles L. Lewis III (October 3, 1966 – August 8, 2004) was an American politician who served as a member of the San Diego City Council. He was elected in 2002 after serving as chief of staff to his predecessor, George Stevens. He died in office two years later, while under federal indictment on charges of bribery and corruption.

Early life and education

Lewis was born October 3, 1966, in Tucson, Arizona.[1] He grew up in the Skyline neighborhood of San Diego. He graduated from Morse High School in 1984, where he was on the wrestling and football teams. He then attended San Diego State University, earning a bachelor's degree in public administration in 1990.[2] During his senior year, he served as an intern for U.S. Congressman Jim Bates.[3]

Career

He served as chief of staff for councilmember George Stephens for nearly a decade. Among his achievements while chief of staff, he coordinated the installation of holiday lighting on the Cabrillo Bridge and installed more than 80 "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." signs on the California State Route 94 freeway - an installation which had been approved by the state 10 years earlier, but not funded.[4]

When Stephens resigned due to term limits, Lewis was chosen to represent Council District 4 in his stead in the 2002 city council election. During his short term as council member he executed a deal to create a new park in City Heights, and spearheaded the creation of a skate park. Both parks are now named for him. He also played a key role in the creation of more than 20 neighborhood councils.

He died unexpectedly on August 8, 2004, of liver bleeding related to cirrhosis and alcohol intake.[5] He was 37. The day before his death he had attended a 20th reunion for his high school class. His chief of staff, Tony Young, succeeded him in a special election.[6]

Charges

On August 23, 2003, he and two other councilmembers were indicted on federal charges of taking bribes from a local strip club owner. All three pleaded not guilty. One of Lewis's aides and several representatives of the strip club were also charged.[7]

The case against Lewis was dropped after his death. The other councilmembers were convicted by a jury in 2005.[8]

Personal life

He was married to Carlette Lewis; they had no children.

Legacy

References

  1. News: Charles L. Lewis III. August 12, 2004. San Diego Union Tribune. 7 July 2012.
  2. Web site: City Councilman Lewis dead at age 37. SignOnSanDiego. 2007-08-23.
  3. Web site: About Charles. Charles L. Lewis III Foundation. 7 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083538/http://www.charlesllewis3.org/About_Charles.html. 8 February 2012.
  4. News: California 94 Renamed to Honor Martin Luther King. https://archive.today/20130131235619/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/66607038.html?dids=66607038:66607038&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+21,+1989&author=ARMANDO+ACUNA&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=California+94+Renamed+to+Honor+Martin+Luther+King&pqatl=google. dead. January 31, 2013. Acuna. Armando. November 21, 1989. Los Angeles Times. 8 July 2012.
  5. News: Official's death alcohol-related. August 24, 2004. San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 7 July 2012.
  6. Web site: San Diego City Council. San Diego Union Tribune. 7 July 2012.
  7. News: Council Members Plead Not Guilty To Charges . August 28, 2003 . 10 News San Diego . 7 July 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050826112816/http://www.10news.com/politics/2441462/detail.html . 26 August 2005 .
  8. Web site: After his acquittal, 'a whole new life'. Union-Tribune. Kelly. Thornton. 2007-08-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035711/http://www.uniontribune.org/uniontrib/20060320/news_1m20cowan.html. 2007-09-30. dead.
  9. Web site: Homepage. Charles L. Lewis III Foundation. 7 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083721/http://www.charlesllewis3.org/Home_Page.html. 8 February 2012.
  10. Web site: Charles L. Lewis III Memorial Skatepark. City of San Diego. 7 July 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120403024242/http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/cllewisskate.shtml. 2012-04-03. dead.
  11. News: Council approves $4.3 million park for City Heights. Max. Nathan. August 3, 2011. San Diego Union-Tribune. 7 July 2012.
  12. News: Remembering Councilman Lewis with "Camp Charles". August 8, 2011. San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. 7 July 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20130218132229/http://sdvoice.info/remembering-councilman-lewis-with-camp-charles-p1161-93.htm. 18 February 2013.

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