Charles L. Lewis (California politician)

This article is about the San Diego City Councilman. For other people named Charles Lewis, see Charles Lewis (disambiguation).
Charles L. Lewis III
Member of San Diego City Council representing the Fourth District
In office
December 2002 – August 8, 2004
Preceded by George Stevens (California politician)
Succeeded by Tony Young
Personal details
Born October 3, 1966
Tucson, Arizona
Died August 8, 2004(2004-08-08) (aged 37)
San Diego, California
Residence San Diego, California

Charles L. Lewis III (1966–2004) was a City Councilman in San Diego, California. 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.

Personal life

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

Career

He served as chief of staff for councilmember George Stephens for nearly a decade.[3] 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,[2] 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,[5] and spearheaded the creation of a skate park.[6] Both parks are now named for him. He also played a key role in the creation of more than 20 neighborhood councils.[3]

He died unexpectedly on August 8, 2004, of liver bleeding related to cirrhosis and alcohol intake.[7] He was 37. The day before his death he had attended a 20th reunion for his high school class.[8] His chief of staff, Tony Young, succeeded him in a special election.[9]

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.[10]

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

Legacy

References

  1. ↑ "Charles L. Lewis III". San Diego Union Tribune. August 12, 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 "City Councilman Lewis dead at age 37". SignOnSanDiego. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  3. 1 2 3 "About Charles". Charles L. Lewis III Foundation. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  4. ↑ Acuna, Armando (November 21, 1989). "California 94 Renamed to Honor Martin Luther King". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 Max, Nathan (August 3, 2011). "Council approves $4.3 million park for City Heights". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Charles L. Lewis III Memorial Skatepark". City of San Diego. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Official's death alcohol-related". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. August 24, 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  8. 1 2 Thornton, Kelly. "After his acquittal, 'a whole new life'". Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  9. ↑ "San Diego City Council". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Council Members Plead Not Guilty To Charges". 10 News San Diego. August 28, 2003. Archived from the original on 26 August 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Homepage". Charles L. Lewis III Foundation. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Remembering Councilman Lewis with "Camp Charles"". San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. August 8, 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
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