Saústalito city manager arrested on burglary charges
Elaine Forbes, who began serving as Sausalito's city manager on July 1, was booked on a felony burglary allegation after police found her on a yacht at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor.
Elaine Christina Forbes, 53, was taken into custody early Saturday on suspicion of felony burglary after authorities responded to a call at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor around 6:50 a.m. Deputies said they found her inside a yacht that did not belong to her. Forbes, who had moved to a floating home just outside the city limits, was booked into the Marin County Jail with bail set at $50,000 and remained in custody the following morning.
Lt. Domenick Yazzolino of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation was handled as a courtesy to Sausalito police. He noted that Forbes told officers she was having a “bad morning” and asked them to leave her boat. The state penal code defines burglary as entering a building or vehicle with intent to commit a felony.
The arrest came shortly after the Sausalito City Council met in closed session and placed Forbes on administrative leave through September 8. Assistant City Manager Brandon Phipps was named acting city manager. The council declined to comment further, citing privacy and employment laws, and indicated it would address next steps at its upcoming meeting.
Forbes, who earned an annual salary of $275,000, was appointed city manager in May and assumed the role on July 1. Prior to this position she served nine years as executive director of the Port of San Francisco. The city is currently dealing with multiple challenges, including state-mandated housing requirements, sea-level rise defenses, upcoming ballot measures, and budget uncertainties following an audit that identified $1.37 million in unauthorized expenditures.
Mayor Steven Woodside said the unauthorized spending was “not acceptable” and attributed it to turnover among finance directors, but did not elaborate further.