Convicted Brea Mayor Isles Resigns Post

BREA — Ronald E. Isles, convicted on charges of conflict of interest, has submitted a letter resigning as mayor.

The resignation was largely a formality because a Municipal Court judge ruled Wednesday that Isles had given up the seat Oct. 9 when he entered the plea.

In a letter submitted to city staff, Isles said he thought it was “in the best interest of the city” for him to step down. The letter was dated Oct. 21, the same day that Municipal Judge Stephen J. Sundvold ruled that, as a matter of law, Isles’ seat was vacant.

The judge’s ruling and Isles’ resignation conclude an unusual political stalemate that developed after Isles pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest and failure to fully report his financial holdings.

Isles entered the plea with the understanding he could serve out his term, which expires in December. A prosecutor later discovered that the conviction appeared to call for his immediate removal, but there was confusion as to who must declare the seat vacant.

On Wednesday, Sundvold clarified the situation, sending a notice to the Brea city attorney that established there was a vacancy.

Throughout his legal problems, Isles has always maintained that he did nothing criminal and that his violations were only careless, unintentional errors.