Elaine Forbes, the newly appointed city manager of Sausalito and former director of the San Francisco Port, has been arrested on suspicion of burglary following an incident involving a yacht. Authorities discovered Forbes aboard a vessel that did not belong to her after responding to a burglary call.
The Marin County Sheriff's Office reported that Forbes, 53, was arrested early Saturday morning at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor. The specific allegations are not being commented on by city officials, who issued a statement acknowledging the arrest as a "difficult development for our city staff and our community."
Forbes was reportedly being held on $50,000 bail. A statement released on behalf of Forbes and her family indicated she was "experiencing a mental health crisis," urging against premature judgment and asking for compassion during a challenging time. The statement highlighted Forbes' extensive career in public service and the respect she commands from colleagues.
The arrest occurred shortly after the Sausalito City Council held a private meeting on Thursday to discuss Forbes' employee performance. The city subsequently approved a leave of absence for Forbes. The City Council is scheduled to address the matter further at its next meeting on Tuesday.
Forbes, who began her role as Sausalito City Manager on July 1, was hired with a base salary of $275,000. Her previous position as Director of the San Francisco Port spanned nine years, during which she managed significant infrastructure projects, including the upgrade of the Embarcadero seawall and a redevelopment proposal for Fisherman's Wharf.
