From reporter Rebecca Kimitch:

Former City Councilman John Nunez has been collecting unemployment since he lost his job as councilman when voters ousted him in March.

Nunez has so far collected $11,250 in unemployment, and the city continues to pay him $450 a week, according to City Manager Jeff Allred.

City officials objected to Nunez’s unemployment request in March, but the Employment Development Department said the city has to pay, Allred said.

“We have the ability to question and contest a request and we did that. It’s not a traditional employment situation,” Allred said. “But the determination to grant a request is solely that of the EDD.”

Nunez served on the council for four years before he lost his bid for reelection, coming in last among six candidates for three seats. While on the council he was paid $2,318 a month.

Allred said he has never heard of an ousted elected official making an unemployment claim “but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened before.