MAYOR RESIGNS TWO DAYS AFTER ARRESTS ON DRUGS AND PROSTITUTION CHARGES

FOLSOM - Mayor Everett Reginald Drew resigned Saturday, two days after
Sacramento police arrested him on prostitution and drug charges, Folsom
officials said.

The city of Folsom issued a written statement confirming that the
57-year-old mayor, known as Reggie Drew, had resigned.

Vice Mayor Cyndi Dow immediately assumed the duties of mayor, a move
stipulated by the city charter.

The City Council will appoint a new mayor and vice mayor, and is expected
to take up the matter at its next regular meeting on Feb. 8.

Dow told KXTV in Sacramento that Drew was right to step down.

"Obviously, he has a difficult time ahead of him and recognizes the city
has a lot of business to tend to, and we can't afford that distraction,"
Dow said.

The city is resilient, Dow said, "and we are going to rise above this and
press on."

Drew offered an undercover female officer whom he thought was a prostitute
cash and rock cocaine in exchange for sex, Sacramento police said Friday.

He was one of eight people arrested Thursday night in the second police
sweep under a new city law that allows police to impound cars used in
prostitution and drug crimes, said Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas.

Drew was booked on five felony and misdemeanor prostitution and drug
counts. He spent the night in jail and was released Friday morning after
posting $5,000 bail.

The Sacramento County district attorney will decide whether to file formal
charges.

The mayor approached the officer, who was standing on a northeast
Sacramento street, and struck up a conversation, police said.

"He offered cash as well as a small quantity of rock cocaine for the sex
act they agreed upon," said Capt. Ted Mandalla. He declined to give
additional details.

They went to a nearby motel the police were using for the sweep and
arrested Drew there, police said.

His pickup truck was also seized by police and he could lose it if he is
convicted, Venegas said.

Drew said little upon leaving jail Friday. "Until we're through the
judicial process, I can't comment," he said.

Drew was elected in 1996 to the City Council in Folsom, a city of 46,000 in
eastern Sacramento County known mainly for its giant state prison complex.
He is also a manager with the state Prison Industry Authority.