A California city official was reportedly placed on administrative leave just 48 hours before she was arrested on a yacht, as her family asks the public not to “rush to judgment.”
Elaine Forbes, Sausalito’s recently appointed city manager, was taken into custody after only a few weeks in the position.
The arrest came while Forbes was already on a leave of absence. Sausalito officials said the city council approved that leave in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, July 16, and that it planned to discuss next steps at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, July 21.
According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Forbes was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, July 18, near Humboldt Avenue and Johnson Street, close to the marina area.
Authorities said she was detained on suspicion of burglary, although only limited information has so far been released about the allegations.
The Marin Independent Journal cited sheriff Lt. Domenick Yazzolino as saying deputies responded to a burglary call and located Forbes aboard a yacht that did not belong to her.
Jail records from Marin County show the 53-year-old was booked at 6:50 am at a site associated with the Sausalito Yacht Harbor offices.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Forbes was being held on $50,000 bail.
A statement issued through Sam Singer Public Relations on behalf of Forbes and her family offered further context and suggested she may be dealing with a personal crisis.
“Elaine Forbes has devoted much of her life to public service and is widely respected by the many people who have worked with her over the years.
“We ask that no one rush to judgment based on limited information. Elaine is experiencing a mental health crisis,” the statement explained, adding: “As the facts become clearer and Elaine obtains legal and healthcare counsel in the coming hours and days, we hope people will respond with compassion, patience and respect for her and her family during an extraordinarily difficult time. Thank you.”
Following the arrest, the City of Sausalito released its own statement, confirming that the matter is now under active investigation.
“This is a difficult development for our City staff and our community. Because this is now an active and ongoing investigation by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the City will not comment on the specific allegations.”
The city also confirmed that “on Thursday, July 16, the Sausalito City Council met in closed session to approve a leave of absence for Forbes.”
Officials further said that “it is anticipated the City Council will discuss next steps at its upcoming City Council meeting.”
Forbes had only recently been chosen for the role, after Sausalito’s City Council voted on May 5 to appoint her. She formally began the job on July 1.
At the time of her hiring, the city highlighted her experience, saying: “Forbes brings more than two decades of public-sector experience, including nine years as the San Francisco Port Director,” the City of Sausalito said of her post. “Returning to Marin is a homecoming — Forbes lived in San Rafael as a child.”
Earlier this spring, Forbes had spoken positively about the appointment and her plans for the role, saying she was “honored to be coming home to Marin” and adding: “I am excited to get to work supporting the city’s long-term fiscal sustainability, preparing for sea level rise, and building a strong organization that delivers exceptional service.”