HAWAIIAN GARDENS : Council Defers Action in Official’s DUI Case

City Administrator Nelson Oliva, who faces charges of possession of cocaine and driving under the influence of alcohol, will remain on the job at least two weeks.

The City Council majority, led by Mayor Kathleen Navejas, has decided to discuss Oliva’s status at its regular Feb. 14 meeting. “I don’t think we should do anything until we get all the facts,” Navejas said.

The council majority rejected calls by council members Lupe Cabrera and Domenic Ruggeri to place Oliva on paid leave until the charges are resolved.

Oliva, 36, was arrested early Saturday in Victorville by a California Highway Patrol officer who reported Oliva’s city-owned car had been weaving on Interstate 15. Oliva, who was released on $10,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned March 2 in Victorville Municipal Court.

Oliva’s attorney said the administrator acknowledged that he had been drinking, but denied using or having cocaine. Oliva was traveling to Stateline, Nev., with three other men, who were released.

Navejas said Oliva may face disciplinary action for driving his city-owned car outside a 100-mile radius of the city without authorization from the council.