PARADISE, Calif. – The Vice Mayor of Paradise is in trouble with the law. Michael Zuccolillo was arrested on Tuesday after investigators say he sent inappropriate texts and lewd pictures to what he thought was a 16-year-old girl.
“I’m very shocked,” said Bille Vandavere of Paradise. “I went to a town meeting, he has always conducted himself as a gentleman.”
Folks in Paradise were concerned and surprised over the allegations against the Vice Mayor.
“I felt bad for his family,” said Tina Estes of Magalia. “I know he has a wife and kids, and [I feel bad for] the people that trusted him in Paradise.”
In a statement by Mayor Greg Bolin:
The Paradise Town Council members, along with many members of the public, were surprised to learn of Vice-Mayor Zuccolillo’s arrest today. This matter is very serious, and the Town understands there is a criminal justice process that will now take place. Since this is an ongoing criminal matter, the Town will have no further comment on this subject. We will continue to focus on rebuilding our Town and bringing our residents and businesses back home.
Investigators say a man told them he posed as a 16-year-old girl and targeted the Vice-Mayor. This was after the man apparently had some sort of bad business deal with Zuccolillo.
Detectives, the FBI and the District Attorney’s Office took over the investigation and say Zuccolillo kept sending lewd pictures and texts.
“It made me upset. I got daughters and I am a high school teacher,” said Robin Manzo.
Town Councilwoman Melissa Schuster said the town’s legal counsel says if a councilmember is convicted of a felony they can be removed from office, or if convicted of a misdemeanor, if it is specific to council duties.
Schuster also said, “My heart breaks for the community of Paradise to deal with this, on top of everything else they’ve had to deal with.”
Action News Now reached out to Zuccolillo and he said he will have a statement soon, however not at this time.
Zuccolillo turned himself into the Butte County Jail on Tuesday and is out on $135,000 bail.
Zuccolillo is facing several charges including arranging a meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd or lascivious behavior and communicating with a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct.
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Vice-Mayor-of-Paradise-arrested-569652491.html