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In a turn of events that has left South Lake Tahoe grappling with a leadership crisis, the city's mayor, Tamara Wallace, has resigned after confessing to embezzling funds from a local church. In an email sent late Monday night to the city clerk, which also called for Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass to step down, Wallace conceded to her wrongdoing. According to CBS News Sacramento, Wallace admitted, "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I am admitting that I took funds from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period."
Wallace, who had been working as a bookkeeper for Tahoe Community Presbyterian, was terminated after the alleged embezzlement came to light. In her letter sent to local media this month, where she revealed the embezzlement and her subsequent suicide attempt, Wallace expressed her determination to surely repay "every cent I have taken." Her resignation came as the El Dorado County district attorney's office confirmed it was investigating the stolen funds and her admission, as reported by KCRA.
The office of the mayor wasn't the only one in turmoil as Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass, whom Wallace has urged to resign, is currently embroiled in his own set of legal challenges. Bass was arrested on September 25 on charges related to an alleged assault and threats made at a bar from which he had already been banned. Surveillance footage led deputies to determine Bass as the aggressor. He faces misdemeanor assault, trespassing, and harassment charges. "I can guarantee my community I did nothing wrong, I believe in due process, bring on the trial," Bass told KCRA 3.
With Wallace's departure, South Lake Tahoe now readies to thoroughly select a new mayor and mayor pro tem at the upcoming council meeting scheduled for October 21. In addition to this reorganization, discussions will be held regarding "methods for filling the vacant city council seat," as the city declared, as noted by KCRA 3.
