In the escalating battle between mayoral candidates in San Diego County, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has taken legal action against the city of Chula Vista. Accusations have surfaced about a letter penned by her opponent, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, advocating for the early release of a woman convicted of fraud. As reported by the Times of San Diego, Aguirre's campaign alleged that Chula Vista violated the California Public Records Act by withholding the letter in question, initiating a public records lawsuit to retrieve the document.
Running against McCann for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors open seat, Aguirre has condemned the mayor's involvement with Adriana Camberos, who served time for her role in a fraudulent scheme involving energy drinks. Allegedly, McCann's letter played a part in the commutation of Camberos’ sentence by former President Donald Trump. Having served just over half her sentence, Camberos was released from prison and, along with her brother, she later made contributions to McCann’s mayoral campaign. According to the Times of San Diego, federal prosecutors have since charged and convicted Camberos and her brother for initiating a new fraudulent operation shortly after her release.
On social media, Aguirre amplified her criticism of McCann, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency. "ICYMI: my opponent wrote a letter to Trump asking to release a convicted felon from prison. Now he’s hiding it,” Mayor Paloma Aguirre posted. She added, "My campaign filed a public records request in April — FIFTY (50) days ago! The Public Records Act is clear — he must produce the letter," as found in a statement on her campaign’s social media page. This legal maneuver unfolds as both candidates sharpen their attacks in a race heating up with the special election on July 1.
ICYMI: my opponent wrote a letter to Trump asking to release a convicted felon from prison. Now he’s hiding it.
— Paloma Aguirre (she/her/ella) (@paloma4D1) June 18, 2025
My campaign filed a public records request in April — FIFTY (50) days ago! The Public Records Act is clear — he must produce the letter.
John, I’ll see you in court. https://t.co/vvcfHQgv9r
The Aguirre campaign has called attention to the donations in the aftermath of Camberos' commutation, suggesting a quid pro quo. In retaliation, the McCann campaign highlighted Aguirre's owed property taxes on an Imperial Beach condominium, questioning her fiscal responsibility. "McCann helped get a convicted fraudster out of prison, she bankrolled his campaign, and now he’s hiding the paper trail. That’s not just unethical – it’s a betrayal of the public’s trust," Aguirre said in a statement, per the Times of San Diego. The Chula Vista City Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit.
