Stockton Mayor Wants Jason Lee Investigated Over ‘Public Attacks,’ Ethics Concerns

Influencer-turned-politician Jason Lee is facing new scrutiny in his hometown of Stockton, California.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi this week announced plans to launch an impartial ad-hoc committee to gather facts about Lee, who is vice mayor of the city.

The podcaster, gossip blogger and Hollywood Unlocked founder was elected to the Stockton City Council’s sixth district in 2024, according to his official city biography.

Related: Jason Lee Accused of Mishandling $50,000 in City Funds for ‘Wild ‘N Out’ Event

But on Tuesday, Nov. 4, Mayor Fugazi held and news conference and told reporters she has “serious concerns” about Vice Mayor Lee’s “integrity,” according to CBS Sacramento. Fugazi additionally said she is “afraid” for her life.

In a statement to Urban Hollywood 411, Fugazi said the review will be conducted “responsibly, factually, and in accordance with the law.”

“Recent events and escalating rhetoric have made it necessary to reaffirm a simple truth: Stockton’s government must operate with integrity, transparency, and respect for the law,” the statement read. “I have worked in good faith for months to maintain professionalism and cooperation within the Council, despite repeated provocations and public attacks from the vice mayor.”

As we reported in August, Fugazi and Lee have been known to clash during Stockton’s live streamed council meetings.

Now, Fugazi is demanding answers as to whether Lee had anything to do with a nonprofit he founded, allegedly asking for $58 million in public funds.

“Concerns have been raised regarding the Vice Mayor’s involvement in a proposal in
which a nonprofit he founded and continues to lead sought to receive approximately $58 million in public funds and assume control of a City facility,” the mayor’s statement said. “Meanwhile, long-standing community organizations with proven local track records were not afforded the same opportunity or review.”

She also raised concerns about camera crews allegedly being brought into city hall to record promotional videos without prior approval, and she has questioned if Lee’s primary residence is in Stockton or Los Angeles, which is hours away.

“Residency is a fundamental requirement for elected office, and the public has a right to
confidence that those serving them reside in the community they represent,” Fugazi’s statement said.

Fugazi told reporters Tuesday that she no longer wants to sit next to Lee at city council meetings because she is concerned about her safety.

She said she had received threats — although the nature of the threats or who allegedly made them is unclear. In another shocking claim, she alleged a bullet had gone through her house.

“Probably the most hurtful thing is pulling my family into this,” Fugazi said, according to CBS Sacramento. “My 4-year-old goddaughter is not mayor. To have her being subjected to somebody’s claim of me or negative comments about me, leave her out of this. And let’s take it one step further. A bullet did go through my house. I have gotten threats. I need to keep my family safe. I have to keep my family safe, and this only exacerbates it.”

Fugazi insisted she wants what’s best for Stockton and said she is seeking “accountability.”

CBS Sacramento said Jason Lee declined an interview.

Urban Hollywood 411 contacted his district office for comment, but so far we have not received a response.

Stockton is located about 45 miles south of Sacramento, in California’s Central Valley agricultural hub.

Lee ran on a platform of “transformative leadership and pragmatic solutions,” and vowed to focus on improving public safety, expanding economic opportunities, investing in youth programs, and working toward bringing affordable housing to the community.

But he has faced pushback in the city government.

On Aug. 5, the Stockton city manager’s office announced it was investigating a $50,000 payment Lee’s office made “from the City’s Risk Mitigation Fund” for an entertainment event featuring performers from the TV show Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out.

In a news release, city spokesman Tony Mannor said the payment was made “without the City Manager’s knowledge or approval.”

“Reports of a sitting councilmember actively engaged between city staff and event promoters raise serious concerns about the appropriateness of such involvement and whether boundaries between policymaking and administration were crossed,” the release said.

Lee has regularly appeared on the VH1 sketch comedy and battle rap show.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Aug. 4, Lee denied doing anything wrong and said “haters” were trying to downplay his efforts to bring “world-class” events to Stockton and give back to the community.

“Let’s be clear: Nick and the ‘Wild ’N Out’ team came to Stockton as a favor to ME — to turn this city up and prove that we deserve world-class partnerships like Nick, Rip Michaels, and 5120 Entertainment. The attacks on our hardworking city staff for simply doing their jobs? Beyond disappointing,” he wrote in the statement.

As the story made headlines, Lee threatened to file a lawsuit against media outlets covering the story in a separate blistering statement on Facebook and Instagram.

He additionally called for an investigation into former Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo, alleging Colangelo misused city funds by supporting a state grant without council approval for the benefit of a Fugazi campaign donor.