Michael Zucchet

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Michael J. Zucchet (December 24, 1969–) is a San Diego born American Democratic politician, a former member of the San Diego City Council, and a former Deputy Mayor of San Diego. In 2005, he briefly served as the Acting Mayor of San Diego.

Zucchet earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master's degree in Environmental Economics and Policy from Duke University.

He worked as a renewable energy economist with the United States Department of Energy in Washington, DC, then returned to San Diego in 1996 to work as a City Council aide to council-member Valerie Stallings. From 1998 through 2002, he served as the legislative and community affairs director for the San Diego City Fire Fighters.

Zucchet has also done work with the non-profit Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara while in college. He has served as president of the San Diego League of Conservation Voters, vice-president of the Pacific Beach Town Council, been elected member of the Pacific Beach Community Planning Committee, and appointed member of the city's Select Committee on Government Efficiency and Fiscal Reform. He is a graduate of LEAD San Diego.

Michael Zucchet served as a San Diego city council-member representing the city's Second District from November 2002 to July 2005.

Currently Zucchet works as Project Manager for Utility Consumers' Action Network.

He lives in Ocean Beach, San Diego with his wife Teresa and daughter.

[edit] Corruption scandal

Zucchet became acting Mayor after Dick Murphy resigned July 15, 2005. But three days later, he too resigned after he was convicted in U.S. District Court of one count of conspiracy, five counts of wire fraud and three counts of extortion. This was in connection with a scheme involving fellow City Councilman Ralph Inzunza to get the city's "no touch" laws at strip clubs repealed. On November 10, 2005 citing lack of evidence the judge dismissed the convictions against Zucchet, but ordered a new trial on two of the indictments. The convictions against two co-defendants were upheld.