This week, a Yakima County Superior Court judge granted permission for a second recall petition against Mayor Rachel Ruelas to move forward. However, council members said they've now received a notice that the mayor has filed an appeal in the first recall petition , which was signed by city council members.
Mayor Ruelas admitted in court on Tuesday that Mabton has been operating without a budget for the entirety of 2024, but assured the judge that a budget would be completed within two weeks.
“I’m really cautious about how we spend the money, so we’re not spending anything, going out buying any equipment that, you know, is not needed, so we’re not having to amend anything," Ruelas told the judge.
In the meantime, the city council has been forced to make decisions without a clear understanding of the city's financial status.
However, they recently gained access to new legal counsel after dismissing the previous city attorney. The council proceeded with the hiring despite the mayor's refusal to sign the new contract.
"We were employed by the city council at the last city meeting two weeks ago," said Ben Riley, the new Mabton City Attorney. "As a result, the Mayor Pro Tem signed off on the contract to employ us, so we're acting as de facto city attorney, and the city will ratify the contract at the next meeting."
Despite these developments, the city has not released any information on how it is addressing the missing $22,000 stolen in the fake robbery scheme, whether the accused employee has been placed on administrative leave, or if an internal investigation has been initiated.
"Nobody knows anything; we don’t have a chief anymore, so who’s investigating?" said Mabton resident Ruben Olivarez at a council meeting Tuesday night during public comment.
Ruelas responded, saying “We’re not gonna talk about that right now, sorry."
Apple Valley News Now's Emily Goodell's attempts to speak with Ruelas for further comment on the missing money, the recall petitions, or the ongoing lack of a budget have been unsuccessful. The mayor has not responded to inquiries made by phone, email, or in-person at Mabton City Hall, in council chambers after meetings or at the courthouse.
As the controversy continues, the community remains in the dark, with more questions than answers. Reporting will continue as new developments unfold.
MABTON, Wash. — Mabton Mayor Rachel Ruelas is facing new allegations about her conduct in office in a second recall petition brought forward by resident Ruben Olivarez.
YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima County Superior Court Judge Richard Bartheld has ruled that a petition to recall Mabton Mayor Rachel Ruelas will proceed, based on two of the six charges presented.
MABTON, Wash. — Mabton city officials and citizens gathered in Yakima County Superior Court on Wednesday morning for the latest hearing on the petition to recall Mayor Rachel Ruelas over claims she has violated state laws and her oath of office.
MABTON, Wash. - The majority of the Mabton City Council is leading a charge to recall Mayor Rachel Ruelas over allegations of gross incompetence. This came a week after police said $22,000 was stolen from the city in a fake robbery scheme.
MABTON, Wash. - The Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has declined to file charges against a Mabton city employee who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars of city money.
MABTON, Wash. - Just days after a city employee was arrested on suspicion of stealing $22,000 from the City of Mabton in what police said was a fake robbery scheme, the mayor of Mabton refused to address the community's concerns when they questioned her leadership at Tuesday night's city council meeting.
MABTON, Wash. — A City of Mabton employee accused of stealing $22,000 from the city as part of a fake robbery scheme was arrested Friday and appeared in court Monday afternoon, where a judge released her pending future court hearings.
MABTON, Wash. — Deputy City Clerk Yuliana Morales has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft after police say she pretended to be the victim of a robbery, allowing her boyfriend to allegedly escape with a bag containing $22,000 worth of checks and cash from the city.
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