Article published in Dropline.biz on July 18, 2005

“Burbank Bellows with Embarrassment”—City Councilwoman, Stacey Murphy Arrested

By Dino M. Zaffina

During a press conference, Burbank police Sgt. Jay Jette disclosed information regarding the arrest of Burbank City Councilwoman, Stacey J. Murphy, 47 and others who may be co-conspirators.

Murphy was arrested Wednesday, July 13, 2005, for cocaine possession and child endangerment after Burbank police officers served a search warrant at her home in the 700 block of North Lima Street, Burbank, California 91505 and found illegal drugs, handguns, and a large quantity of ammunition during an investigation involving street gangs in the San Fernando Valley. She was taken to the Burbank city jail and was later released Thursday on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at her arraignment in Burbank Superior Court on August 25, 2005.

Also arrested, was Glendale residents Scott Schaffer, 51 and Schaffer’s roommate, Robert Polloreno, 54 at their home in the 600 block of North Kenwood Street, Glendale, California 91206.

“Schaffer was arrested when nine handguns and cocaine were seized,” authorities said. “He is currently in federal custody in Los Angeles, where he faces weapons and drug charges,” police said. “Polloreno was arrested for grand theft of a firearm and was held on $50,000 bail at the Burbank city jail,” Jette said.

Schaffer and Murphy, the former wife of Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Timothy Murphy, allegedly have had a long-time relationship, even though Stacey J. Murphy only filed for divorce on July 16, 1998, (Los Angeles Superior, Central District, Case No. BD 283684).

Commissioner Murphy no longer has any ties to the residence at North Lima Street, Burbank, California 91505. He relinquished all legal rights to said real property on June 8, 2000, in an interfamily transaction as part of their divorce settlement agreement.

Murphy has served on the council since 1997 and has served as mayor of the city for two terms. She was elected to a third term in February with 60% of the vote in the primary election.

The accessibility of the weapons is what led to the child endangerment charges. “The guns were found in an unlocked container that could be opened by anybody laying on the floor next to bicycles,” Jette said.

Murphy is the mother of three children, Sean 20, Robert, 18, and Connor, 12 who was home at the time of her arrest. Connor was released to his father.

“Schaffer, a former chairman and member of the Glendale Water & Power Commission, was allegedly trading handguns to members of the Vineland Boyz street gang in exchange for cocaine,” Jette said. All this came to light for investigators when a Vineland Boyz gang member was caught with a handgun registered to Schaffer. This was suspect since Schaffer had not reported any weapons stolen from his residence.

No decision has been made by Murphy as to what her intentions are regarding her seat on the council. The City of Burbank would have the power to immediately strip her from her position if she is convicted of a felony. Needless to say, Murphy’s office located in the Burbank City Hall at 275 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, California 91510-6459 will not be a comfortable place for Murphy to work over the next couple of months, if not longer. The office telephones at (818) 238-5751 and voice mail at (818) 238-5750 will most likely be inundated with telephone calls and messages. As well as the facsimile machine at (818) 238-5757 and Murphy’s e-mail at smurphy@mail.ci.burbank.ca.us will most likely be inundated with letters and e-mails.

Murphy’s mission statement will also most likely be held up to scrutiny.

“It is my goal over the next four years to not present any one faction, but to help find common ground between all of them. We need to remain vigilant in our fight against unrestricted airport expansion. On the subject of deregulation, we are going to have to overcome technical and complex terminology to help our city prepare for imminent restructuring and its impacts on our residents and local businesses. My primary job as a council member is being able to help with your questions and suggestions.”

Burbank Mayor Jef Vander Borght has known Murphy for over 20 years. He commented on the situation as a friend and not as a public official making an official statement. Vander Borght has plans on giving her the support that she needs. He said, “I’ll stand by her as a friend and colleague.”

The other city council members may not be sharing Vander Borght’s same sentiments. Vice Mayor Todd Campbell and Councilman Dave Golnski declined to comment. Marsha Ramos was no where to be found. 

Of course, this is not the City of Burbank’s only problem. Burbank has a business license department with an inspector by the name of Bill Weyandt who cares more about handing out citations to business owners who are passing out handbill solicitations, than business owners who are operating under a fictitious name other than the name on their business license.

When Burbank’s business license department was notified on or about June 27, 2005, regarding Toluca Lake Pharamacy located at 4323 Riverside Drive, Burbank, California 91505, Weyandt responded on July 7, 2005 in a telephone message, and he had this to say, “… they are register; we have a Toluca Lake Health Center Pharmacy that is registered since 1995 with the City of Burbank … they’ve met the requirements from Burbank and there is really no action for me to take….”

When Dropline.biz spoke to this genius, he was asked how it was that he believes that the name Toluca Lake Pharmacy was synonymous with Toluca Lake Health Center Pharmacy. Besides appearing to not know what synonymous meant; Weyandt attempted to claim that altering a business name such as Toluca Lake Pharmacy from its licensed name was not a problem for the City of Burbank. 

Even when Weyandt was informed that there was no fictitious name filing with the County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, he did not care. Weyandt said that the business name was close enough. When Weyandt was asked if other businesses (that were not connected to the Motion Picture & Television Industry) were to attempt to commit such a fraud upon the public would the City of Burbank care then.

Weyandt was also asked, “How are consumers doing business in the City of Burbank supposed to seek legal redress against a business when the injured party does not know the entity’s true legal name?” Weyandt was baffled and did not provide an answer.

If anyone conducting business in the City of Burbank is unfortunate enough to have encountered such a gross injustice (i.e., businesses not providing their legal name to the public), feel free to contact Inspector Bill Weyandt at his direct number is (818) 238-5280. If you are lucky you will not get the same asinine comment as we did.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________