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OC Blogger Bankrolls Effort To Recall Fullerton Lawmakers

FULLERTON (CBS) — A trio of Fullerton lawmakers may soon find themselves the target of a recall election.

KNX 1070's Brian Ping reports a local blogger is spearheading an effort to oust three City Council members over their role in the Kelly Thomas investigation.

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The campaign to recall council members Dick Jones, Don Bankhead and Pat McKinley — which is being bankrolled largely by blogger and developer Tony Bushala — has qualified for the ballot with over 10,000 signatures being turned in.

Busha, who reportedly put up nearly $150,000 of his own money to fund the effort, is a blogger for Orange Juice, a website focused on political developments in Orange County.

McKinley, a former police chief, and Bankhead, a former officer, are among the three lawmakers being targeted in the wake of several law enforcement scandals, most notably the in-custody death of homeless man Thomas back in July of last year.

Two Fullerton police officers have been charged in Thomas' death and are awaiting trial.

The Fullerton City Council will certify the signatures later this month and will decide whether to hold the election during the presidential primary on June 5 or hold a more expensive stand-alone vote on another date.

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