Rush waved a document in the air while addressing Rosansky and the council during the Tuesday meeting, but refused to show it to the city’s outside legal counsel or city staff, stating he wanted to reveal the specific allegations against Rosansky in a public forum.
The mayor read a statement denying any financial interest in rehab homes at a council meeting last week.
“I addressed this issue last week,” Rosansky said. “It is his [Rush’s] intention to embarrass me I’ve discussed my finances with other special council.”
Rosansky cut off Rush after he went over the allotted three-minute time limit for public comments.
Rush maintains he was cut off because the mayor wishes to suppress embarrassing personal financial issues Rush might reveal in public.
“See you in two weeks,” Rush said to the mayor as he left council chambers, referring to the next scheduled council meeting Nov. 6.
“Rosansky is trying to bury a personal issue by using new outside counsel of Richards, Watson & Gershon to shield him from complying with Newport Beach conflict of interest policy requiring him to disclose the interest as part of public record,” Rush said after leaving the meeting.
Rush accused former City Atty. Bob Burnham and Rosansky earlier this month of profiting from drug rehab facilities in Newport Beach.
Burnham subsequently ended his contract with the city as a consultant on John Wayne Airport issues, citing attacks from residents. The allegations against Burnham stemmed from his wife’s work with Orange County Drug Court while he was still city manager.
Like Rosansky, Burnham has denied any conflict of interest on the issue.
City Council members hired the law firm Richards, Watson & Gershon in September to provide more legal advice on rehab homes issue.
