Dear Editor,
For the past two weeks or so, Santa Monica Councilmember Oscar de la Torre has been in the news for an antisemitic comment he made as an SMMUSD Board member in 2019. School Board member Jon Kean quotes de la Torre as saying, "the biggest problem with the School Board is that it’s run by the Jews." The truth of this statement has been verified by two other members of the School Board: Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein and Laurie Lieberman.
De la Torre should have acknowledged this statement and apologized for it. Instead, he has denied this statement and attacked the messengers.
At the City Council’s October 22 meeting, where de la Torre’s antisemitic statement was raised by members of the public, de la Torre lashed out at those who raised the issue and then went on the attack by criticizing the City Council’s 2015 decision to stop funding the Pico Youth and Family Center, a non-profit organization founded and run by de la Torre as its Executive Director. De la Torre referred to that prior City Council decision as "racist."
We were members of the City Council that voted to stop funding PYFC. We did so based upon City Staff’s documentation of de la Torre’s misconduct (including racism and dishonesty). City Staff’s recommendation to stop funding was supported by letters from PYFC Board members who had resigned in protest.
De la Torre’s racism was explicitly called out by several Board members as a key reason for their resignations. Board Chair Amanda M. Seward criticized de la Torre for stoking racial animosity, stating: "… it was very disturbing to hear statements of an alleged racial conspiracy on the Board, particularly given that PYFC’s core message of unity. The PYFC was founded to help alleviate the conflict between the Latino and African American community in Santa Monica, not exacerbate it. It was irresponsible to engage in this kind of race baiting."
Similarly, Board member Jan Book noted in her resignation letter: "Oscar verbally insulted several of our Board members with racial, religious and/or ethnic slurs …."
Two other Board members specifically called out de la Torre’s racism as a reason for resigning. Shelly Wood, JD referenced a PYFC meeting on December 3, 2012, and stated: "Oscar’s behavior at this meeting was despicable. He tried to polarize the Board and make it a racial issue between the African American Board members and the Latino Board members …." Jill Moniz, PhD stated that she "… cannot condone the gross misconduct of PYFC Executive Director Oscar de la Torre," citing as one of her concerns that Oscar had pursued "his agenda of racial divide."
In addition to his racism, the former PYFC Board members commented on de la Torre’s dishonesty. Ms. Book stated that "Oscar intentionally misinformed and misled the PYFC Staff" with respect to the PYFC Board. Ms. Wood noted that "I believe Oscar thrives on dishonesty and manipulates the truth for personal gain." Ms. Moniz stated: "I cannot condone the gross misconduct of PYFC Executive Director Oscar de la Torre."
Some who are aware of these events have pointed out that they occurred years ago and that de la Torre has had time to change. The short answer is that he hasn’t changed. Instead of acknowledging his past mistakes, and asking for room to move forward, de la Torre continues to deny, obfuscate and attack those critical of him.
Next week, Santa Monica voters will select four members of the City Council, and de la Torre is seeking re-election. We all agree that de la Torre lacks the character, integrity, and judgment to continue serving on the Santa Monica City Council.
Gleam Davis, Former Mayor and current City Councilmember
Kevin McKeown, Former Mayor and City Councilmember
Pam O’Connor, Former Mayor and City Councilmember
Terry O’Day, Former Mayor Pro Tempore and City Councilmember
Ted Winterer, Former Mayor and City Councilmember
