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The latest in a series of lawsuits against Nathan Fletcher, filed by San Diego residents Colonel Richard Shigley and Kenneth Moser, accuses the former San Diego County Supervisor of violating campaign finance laws by using donations from his abandoned State Senate campaign to cover attorney fees in the case brought against him by former Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) employee Grecia Figueroa. The 236 page complaint was filed in San Diego County Court on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The lawsuit contends that Fletcher's use of campaign funds for his personal legal battle was improper, as the accusations made against him were related to his role as chairman of MTS, not his campaign for State Senate. Fletcher announced his candidacy for the District 39 State Senate seat in February 2023 but withdrew from the race in March, just days before Figueroa's lawsuit was filed. Despite stepping away from the campaign, Fletcher reportedly used the campaign’s funds to hire four different law firms to fight Figueroa's claims.
Shigley and Moser allege that Fletcher failed to disclose the true nature of these expenditures, in violation of the Political Reform Act. Complaints have been filed with both the San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), but neither entity has taken formal action against Fletcher thus far. The lawsuit now seeks to recover the misused funds and additional damages.
Fletcher's attorney, Jim Sutton, has dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated and baseless, arguing that it will ultimately be thrown out. However, the accusations add to an already extensive list of controversies surrounding the former county supervisor.
The allegations against Fletcher first made headlines in March 2023 when he unexpectedly announced he was entering rehab for PTSD and alcohol-related issues. Shortly afterward, he withdrew from his Senate campaign. Days later, Figueroa’s lawsuit against Fletcher and MTS surfaced, alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, and wrongful termination.
Figueroa, who worked in public relations for MTS, claimed that Fletcher repeatedly harassed her and then used his influence to have her fired. The lawsuit also alleged that Fletcher's wife, former California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, threatened legal action against Figueroa for extortion. Gonzalez has denied these allegations.
The lawsuit contends that Fletcher's use of campaign funds for his personal legal battle was improper, as the accusations made against him were related to his role as chairman of MTS, not his campaign for State Senate. Fletcher announced his candidacy for the District 39 State Senate seat in February 2023 but withdrew from the race in March, just days before Figueroa's lawsuit was filed. Despite stepping away from the campaign, Fletcher reportedly used the campaign’s funds to hire four different law firms to fight Figueroa's claims.
Shigley and Moser allege that Fletcher failed to disclose the true nature of these expenditures, in violation of the Political Reform Act. Complaints have been filed with both the San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), but neither entity has taken formal action against Fletcher thus far. The lawsuit now seeks to recover the misused funds and additional damages.
Fletcher's attorney, Jim Sutton, has dismissed the lawsuit as politically motivated and baseless, arguing that it will ultimately be thrown out. However, the accusations add to an already extensive list of controversies surrounding the former county supervisor.
The allegations against Fletcher first made headlines in March 2023 when he unexpectedly announced he was entering rehab for PTSD and alcohol-related issues. Shortly afterward, he withdrew from his Senate campaign. Days later, Figueroa’s lawsuit against Fletcher and MTS surfaced, alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, and wrongful termination.
Figueroa, who worked in public relations for MTS, claimed that Fletcher repeatedly harassed her and then used his influence to have her fired. The lawsuit also alleged that Fletcher's wife, former California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, threatened legal action against Figueroa for extortion. Gonzalez has denied these allegations.
After the news of the lawsuit broke, Fletcher released a statement admitting to a "terrible mistake engaging in consensual interactions" but claimed the allegations in the lawsuit to be false. That very same day on March 29, 2023, following back-and-forth between SanDiegoVille's staffers and Nathan Fletcher's office about our impending story of an additional woman, a former UCSD student, coming forward accusing Fletcher of sexual misconduct while she was an intern for his non-profit, Nathan Fletcher announced his impending resignation from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
The controversy surrounding Fletcher deepened in early 2024 when UC San Diego professor Juli Beth Hinds filed a government tort claim accusing him of retaliating against her for reporting an additional sexual harassment allegation. Hinds, a lecturer in Urban Studies, alleged that Fletcher and county officials abruptly canceled contracts her consulting firm had with the county after she filed a Title IX complaint regarding his alleged misconduct toward a student.
According to Hinds' claim, she initially reported the student’s allegation to UCSD’s Office of Student Disability Services in April 2023. Shortly thereafter, her firm's contracts with the county were terminated without explanation, leading her to believe the move was retaliatory. The claim set the stage for potential legal action against Fletcher and the county.
Fletcher's swift downfall was shocking to many in San Diego, given his previous reputation as a rising political star. He was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2018 and became chairman in 2021, often portraying himself as a progressive leader. His tenure at UC San Diego as a “Professor of Practice” was also seen as a prestigious appointment, but his faculty page was removed from the university’s website following the allegations.
Despite his attempt to reframe his departure as a personal struggle with mental health and addiction, the mounting legal troubles and accusations of abuse of power paint a different picture. The latest lawsuit regarding campaign fund misuse further erodes any remaining credibility Fletcher may have had.
With the lawsuit now moving forward, there are growing calls for Fletcher to repay the more than $1.1 million he allegedly used for his legal defense. Whether the Fair Political Practices Commission or the District Attorney's Office will take formal action remains to be seen, but the accusations mark another significant stain on the former supervisor's legacy.
For now, Nathan Fletcher remains out of the public eye, rumored to be working as a snowboard instructor, with his future in politics - or any form of public service - seemingly over. However, as new legal developments emerge, his name is unlikely to disappear from headlines anytime soon.
The controversy surrounding Fletcher deepened in early 2024 when UC San Diego professor Juli Beth Hinds filed a government tort claim accusing him of retaliating against her for reporting an additional sexual harassment allegation. Hinds, a lecturer in Urban Studies, alleged that Fletcher and county officials abruptly canceled contracts her consulting firm had with the county after she filed a Title IX complaint regarding his alleged misconduct toward a student.
According to Hinds' claim, she initially reported the student’s allegation to UCSD’s Office of Student Disability Services in April 2023. Shortly thereafter, her firm's contracts with the county were terminated without explanation, leading her to believe the move was retaliatory. The claim set the stage for potential legal action against Fletcher and the county.
Fletcher's swift downfall was shocking to many in San Diego, given his previous reputation as a rising political star. He was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2018 and became chairman in 2021, often portraying himself as a progressive leader. His tenure at UC San Diego as a “Professor of Practice” was also seen as a prestigious appointment, but his faculty page was removed from the university’s website following the allegations.
Despite his attempt to reframe his departure as a personal struggle with mental health and addiction, the mounting legal troubles and accusations of abuse of power paint a different picture. The latest lawsuit regarding campaign fund misuse further erodes any remaining credibility Fletcher may have had.
With the lawsuit now moving forward, there are growing calls for Fletcher to repay the more than $1.1 million he allegedly used for his legal defense. Whether the Fair Political Practices Commission or the District Attorney's Office will take formal action remains to be seen, but the accusations mark another significant stain on the former supervisor's legacy.
For now, Nathan Fletcher remains out of the public eye, rumored to be working as a snowboard instructor, with his future in politics - or any form of public service - seemingly over. However, as new legal developments emerge, his name is unlikely to disappear from headlines anytime soon.
Originally published on February 18, 2025.
