Volume 2, Issue 2 — February 2026

Defending Critical Funding for SDPD Taskforce Combating Child Exploitation

The City of San Diego was joined by the City of San Jose in filing a lawsuit challenging unlawful conditions the U.S. Department of Justice placed on funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). This grant is essential to the San Diego Police Department’s ability to investigate online child exploitation and protect children from technology facilitated sexual abuse.

The new conditions would require the City to provide access to Department of Homeland Security agents and comply with requests unrelated to the purpose Congress established this program to serve. San Diego should not be forced to choose between meeting unconstitutional demands and securing the critical resources our officers rely on to keep children safe.

Without this funding, the San Diego ICAC Task Force and its more than 30 partner agencies could face significant limitations in responding to thousands of CyberTip reports and conducting lifesaving investigations. This legal action aims to defend essential public safety funding and ensure every child in our community is safeguarded from online predators.

Holding Developers Accountable and Ensuring Housing is Safe in San Diego

We filed a civil enforcement action to protect San Diego homebuyers and neighborhoods from unlawful property development practices. The Complaint alleges that the defendants conducted major remodeling and new construction projects across multiple communities without obtaining the required permits or completing necessary inspections.

In some cases, homes were sold without disclosing that the work had been performed without proper authorization. The alleged violations include unapproved multi unit construction, garage conversions, and significant electrical, plumbing, and HVAC modifications completed outside the City’s permitting process.

No developer is above the law. Ignoring required permits and inspections can put families, neighbors, and future buyers at risk. My office remains committed to ensuring that housing in San Diego is safe, lawful, and honestly represented for all residents.

Public Advisory on Immigration Lawyer Scams

My Office is urging the public to be cautious of individuals falsely claiming to be attorneys or government representatives offering legal or immigration assistance. These scams often target vulnerable community members and may involve requests for payment or sensitive personal information.

The San Diego City Attorney's Office does not provide legal services to individuals and will never request payment or confidential information by phone, text message, social media, or messaging apps such as WhatsApp.

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be affiliated with our Office, do not engage, save any messages or contact information, and report the incident to the State Bar of California and local law enforcement.

Protect yourself by verifying credentials, avoiding unsolicited offers of legal help, and never sending payment to unverified individuals.

Consumer Alert: Know Your Rights as a Tenant

Do you know your rights when it comes to your security deposit? California law sets clear rules for how landlords can collect, use, and return tenant deposits, helping ensure fairness and transparency in the rental process.

Security deposits are refundable and may only be used for specific purposes, such as unpaid rent, repairs beyond normal wear and tear, necessary cleaning, or replacement of property allowed under a rental agreement. In most cases, landlords may charge no more than one month’s rent as a security deposit and must return any remaining portion, along with an itemized statement of deductions, within 21 days after move out.

Renters also have the right to request a pre move-out inspection to identify potential issues before vacating the unit and avoid unnecessary charges. While the City Attorney’s Office cannot represent individuals in personal disputes, we may take legal action against landlords who repeatedly or unlawfully withhold tenant deposits. Our Consumer Alert outlines these protections and provides resources for residents seeking legal assistance.

Building Connections and Sharing Impact

Lunar New Year Celebrations 🐎 🔥

We brought in the new Lunar Year by joining community members, local leaders, and cultural organizations at several Lunar New Year celebrations welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse. From the Chinese School of San Diego and House of China’s annual banquet to the Asian Business Association San Diego’s festive evening and the Little Saigon San Diego's Lunar New Year Festival, each event brought us together in a shared spirit of renewal, tradition, and community.

The celebrations were full of vibrant performances, lion dances, and plenty of delicious food, along with great opportunities to connect with residents and local businesses.

Wishing you all a year of good fortune and prosperity!

In recognition of Black History Month, our office took time to honor the generations of Black leaders, advocates, and changemakers who have shaped our city and our nation. We were proud to support one of the many amazing Black owned businesses here in San Diego, The Mental Bar Cafe, during our monthly AM Agenda to help fuel our morning.

It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up, reflect on the contributions of Black leaders past and present, and continue supporting local businesses that help our neighborhoods thrive.

I attended the 2026 National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) San Diego Chapter Gala alongside leaders from across the region. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the Chapter’s new leadership, strong partnerships, and the professionals who continue to build and support our local electrical industry. I was also proud to present Certificates of Recognition in honor of their ongoing contributions to our community.

We joined MADD for their Candlelight Vigil to remember the lives lost to impaired driving and to stand with the families forever changed by these tragedies.

Assistant City Attorney Karen Li attended representing our office and in honor of her late fiance, Deputy Ken Collier, who lost his life in 2010 during a pursuit of a wrong way impaired driver on the freeway. Seeing the photos of those taken too soon was a powerful reminder that impaired driving is not just a statistic, but a preventable harm that touches neighbors, friends, and families across San Diego.

We honor those we’ve lost by continuing to raise awareness, support survivors, and work toward safer roads for everyone.

Our Civil and Criminal Divisions attended the Montgomery Middle School career fair, where our Deputies and Investigator spoke with students about careers in public service and the skills needed to work in the legal field. They shared what their work looks like day to day, answered thoughtful questions, and discussed what makes public service both meaningful and rewarding.

Team Spotlight

In the News