Lawsuit aims to pull the plug on Desert Hot Springs pot shops

There are new allegations of corruption against the city of Desert Hot Springs.

The lawsuit being filing with the state aims to overturn the city’s medical marijuana ordinance.

Former Planning Commissioner Dean Gray says Desert Hot Spring’s medical marijuana ordinance is unfair.

“Official approval for medical marijuana dispensaries for the city of Desert Hot Springs was not under taken for support of local medical patients. Instead, a few people cheated for profit. That is unfair, illegal and un-American,” said Gray during a press conference Friday afternoon.

His lawsuit alleges as part of the planning commission, he was not allowed to fully look at all of the applicants for the three medical marijuana permits the commission was charged to approve.

“It was out job to hold a public hearing and ask questions, that did not happen. Instead, planning commissioners were shut up by corrupt city officials who had their fingers in the medical marijuana pie,” said Gray.

An audio recording of the meeting highlighted the exchange.

“It’s irrelevant, Dean. Get with the program,” said an unidentified member of the commission.

“Please, let me finish my question instead of bullying me,” Gray is heard saying on the recording.

“No, get with the program,” said an unidentified member of the commission.

“I am on the program, I am asking questions,” Gray is heard saying on the recording.

Gray also alleges the Brown Act was violated when members of the commission and the city attorney conferred during a recess.

A recess was called after the commission voted to continue the vote on approval of the first marijuana dispensary until the next meeting.

This is the transcription of the audio recording during that recess.

“Steve?” said an unidentified member of the commission.

“One of you from the majority, Cathy (Commissioner Cathy Romero) can make a motion for reconsideration. No, reconsideration of that decision, back on the vote. She caved in,” said city attorney Steve Quintanilla.

“Ok, I’m up for it,” said an unidentified member of the commission.

Once back in session, the vote to continue was reconsidered.

“I would like to make a motion to reconsider please,” said Romero on the recording.

The application for Sun Grow was voted on and approved with objections from Gray and Commissioner Chuck Parker.

“Why won’t you wait until the next meeting if you’re damn determined to push this thing through?” said Parker on the recording.

Quintanilla spoke with News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 over the phone. He called the lawsuit merit-less and said it was a waste of everyone’s time. He said when the suit is dismissed the city will be seeking recovery of attorney fees.

During that meeting, the attorney for Sun Grow dispensary asked that Gray recuse himself because of a preconceived bias against the company. They alleged Gray had illegally come on the property to take photos. Gray did not recuse himself.

To hear the full audio recording of the meeting click here.