Arcadia Mayor Sharon Kwan Censured in Historic Vote as Council Moves to Restore Order

Arcadia Mayor Sharon Kwan Censured in Historic Vote as Council Moves to Restore Order

By Staff Writer

Arcadia, Calif. — August 28, 2025

Arcadia’s City Council took an unprecedented step Tuesday night, voting 4–1 to formally censure Mayor Sharon Kwan after months of escalating dysfunction. The decision, a first in the city’s history, followed a nearly seven-hour special meeting filled with tense exchanges, passionate public testimony, and sharp rebukes from her colleagues.

Kwan, Arcadia’s first Asian female mayor, cast the sole dissenting vote. The censure strips her of key responsibilities, including the authority to manage the meetings, represent the city in official functions, and serve on committees. A final resolution codifying the sanctions will be presented at the Sept. 2 council meeting.

Councilmembers were instructed not to make public comments to the press prior to the Aug. 26 special meeting or the upcoming September 2 meeting, making Tuesday night the first time Cheng, Cao, and Wang spoke openly about their reasons for supporting the censure.

A Meeting That Drew a Crowd

More than a hundred residents packed City Hall, holding signs that underscored the city’s divide: “I Stand With Mayor Kwan” on one side, “Censure Kwan” on the other.

Former mayor April Verlato was the first to speak during public comment, setting the tone for the night. She insisted the censure had nothing to do with harassment allegations among councilmembers and instead traced the dispute back to her and Kwan’s opposition to first responder unions. Verlato claimed union members had been “stalking” her online and spreading rumors of an affair with a police captain, a claim that raised eyebrows, since the city has only two police captains.

In her remarks, Verlato inflamed tensions further by calling union members, the city’s first responders, “jerks” and “disgusting.” Her words drew audible gasps and reactions from the audience and sharpened the partisan split in the chamber.

Councilmember David Fu, who initiated the censure motion, followed with a detailed two-hour presentation. He alleged that Mayor Kwan involved students in delivering remarks that appeared scripted, made comments that some viewed as disparaging to veterans, raised questions about the city’s finances that colleagues characterized as misleading, and used council procedures in ways they considered disruptive to staff.

“She’s indolent and unprepared for her role. When contradicted or confronted, she attacks, belittles, and lies to save face,” Fu said.

During his presentation, residents could be heard hissing and yelling as April Verlato walked the aisles trying to motivate people to react.

Residents and Veterans React

Public comment stretched over two hours. Some residents expressed frustration that personal disputes had spilled into council chambers. Others, particularly veterans, sharply criticized Kwan’s remarks during the Aug. 19 meeting, when she claimed her charitable donations did more for veterans than military service.

“All of us, whether we carried a gun or carried the wounded, are veterans,” one speaker declared. Another veteran said Kwan’s comments had “demeaned every man and woman who wore the uniform.”

Councilmembers Speak Out

Paul Cheng: Calling for Order and Rule of Law

Councilmember Paul Cheng emphasized that his support for censure was not personal but rooted in the need for legality and order. He said Kwan’s habit of steering meetings off agenda violated the Brown Act and prevented the council from conducting the people’s business.

“She has a right to her opinion,” Cheng said, “but not a right to hijack the meeting outside of agenda items. The public deserves lawful, orderly governance.”

Cheng also revealed that he, too, had faced harassment from colleagues, being cursed at, mocked about his masculinity, and berated in front of staff and even children. He said he refrained from filing a complaint only because Kwan advised him not to. Despite those experiences, Cheng repeatedly tried to broker peace, even urging Kwan and Fu to meet privately.

“I’m sick and tired of not getting the people’s work done,” he said bluntly.

Michael Cao: Defending Standards, Not Silencing Speech

Councilmember Michael Cao, an Air Force veteran, focused on principle. While he condemned Kwan’s remarks that belittled his service, he stressed that the censure was not about punishing speech.

“All veterans fought for freedom of speech. This is not about silencing her,” Cao said. “This is about conduct unbecoming of a mayor.”

His comments drew applause from veterans in the audience who said Kwan’s statements had disrespected those who served.

Eileen Wang: A Call for Professionalism

Mayor Pro Tem Eileen Wang, said the conflict had deeply embarrassed the city. She noted she had never personally experienced harassment or discrimination on the dais, countering Kwan’s repeated claims of sexism.

Wang urged her colleagues and the public to focus on restoring professionalism. “This is about maintaining civility and integrity in city government,” she said.

Kwan’s Response

Kwan defended herself by saying she lashed out only after feeling her daughter was targeted. “I acted as any mother would,” she said, while framing the censure as retaliation for her complaints of sexism.

She never apologized for her prior conduct except to say that she sent Michael Cao an apology email. Michael Cao said he accepted her apology.

A Divided City

The meeting revealed deep divisions, not only among councilmembers but also in the community. While some rallied to Kwan’s defense, many more expressed disappointment in her leadership.

Former mayor Sho Tay, in a statement before the meeting, strongly backed the council’s action:

“Establishing this practice is not about conflict between two councilmembers; it is about restoring integrity and civility to the Arcadia City Council and establishing a standard that future mayors and councilmembers should follow.”

Looking Ahead

The censure, laid out in Resolution 7649 , removes Kwan’s mayoral powers for the remainder of her nine-month term. Resolution 7650, which requires a four-fifths vote, could remove her from the office of mayor altogether while allowing her to remain on the council.

That decision will be debated on Sept. 2.