The settlement includes a paragraph that declares that Elliott has given written and verbal advice to the Council to reject the agreement.

Emails from 2016 show City efforts to raise the value of a building by signing a 20-year deal and the former City Attorney focuses attention on current City Attorney Mara Elliott as the final backstop for the now-crumbling deal.

City leaders were warned the fire systems were not operable, but City staff then misrepresented the building status to the press, the public, and even the San Diego Ethics Commission.

Someone has to demand truthful answers and offer a clear path forward that protects taxpayers from losing money on a flawed real estate deal with a dubious history and uncertain future.

Jason Hughes deserves the beating he’s now taking for playing both sides of the deal, but we should follow the rope back to see who is really behind the cheap entertainment.