San Jose City Council Removes Omar Torres from Board and Commission Appointments Amid Allegations of Inappropriate Child Sexual Conduct

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — The San Jose City Council decided Tuesday to remove Councilman Omar Torres from his permanent positions on the San Jose City Commissions after his third week of missed meetings.

It is the first action taken against the councilor since an investigation into sexual misconduct was launched.

The City Council, except for Councilman Bien Doan, voted to excuse at least one of those absences starting Oct. 8 after Torres said he missed it because he was sick.

He has said he has no intention of resigning, but now city leaders are taking action against him.

“As a parent who has children, I believe that somewhere we have to take a strong stand that is right for our community and our constituents,” said Councilor Doan.

RELATED: SJ Councilman Omar Torres Responds to Warrant for Sexual Misconduct with Minors

Torres is now removed from his council and commission appointments and the mayor has temporarily appointed other councilors to fill those positions until January.

Torres serves in many different roles as a counselor, including as liaison to the San Jose Library Commission.

Commission chairs wrote a letter supporting Torres’ removal, saying the allegations are deeply troubling, especially for someone who serves on a commission that supports hundreds of thousands of children and families.

Tuesday’s council action is about community responsibility.

“I believe Councilman Torres is holding his seat hostage and denying representation to the 100,000 residents of District 3,” Mayor Matt Mahan said during the council meeting. “We all called for him to resign, he should resign.”

Torres is being investigated for alleged sexual activities with minors.

A search warrant affidavit revealed graphic text messages between Torres and a juvenile, in which Torres discussed sexual acts with minors.

RELATED: The SJ community reacts to the investigation of Councilor Torres for alleged sexual misconduct

Torres said in a statement through his lawyer that the messages were just fantasy and role-playing and denied allegations of legal wrongdoing.

The council says they intend to let the legal investigation play out, but Doan believes how Torres is viewed in the court of public opinion makes him unfit to continue serving on the San Jose City Council.

It’s affecting absolutely all of us,” Doan said. “And again, as a parent, I’m horrified and disgusted to read the content. And I think it’s important that, somewhere, we have to stand our ground and do the right thing.”

The council cannot vote to remove Torres from his position as alderman despite the allegations.

However, a recall election could be held to remove him. Another option is that if there are five consecutive council meetings missing, your seat can be considered vacant.

ABC7 News has already reached out to Torres several times since news of the investigation broke, but he has not responded.

His attorney spoke to ABC7 media partner Mercury News and said he has “no plans to resign.”