South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson Cleared of Wrongdoing by DA's Office

The El Dorado County District Attorney's Office cleared South Lake Tahoe City Councilwoman Angela Swanson of any criminal wrongdoing in a letter sent to the City Council.

No public announcement was made to the media and the DA's office hasn't responded to a request by SouthTahoeNow.com to see a copy of the letter.

Vern Pierson, DA, led an investigation into a meeting between the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation and Gennaro "Gino" DiMatteo, a former local marijuana dispensary owner. Swanson, who is a foundation board member, was present when DiMatteo gave her and Board President Nancy Rollston a donation of over $1,000.

Swanson, who has always maintained her innocence of any wrongdoing, released this statement Wednesday:

"The news that El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson has cleared me of any wrongdoing and closed the file on this issue makes for a wonderful start to 2014. I am elated and energized about the future of our community. I will continue to focus my goals and ideas as Councilwoman to serve the residents of South Lake Tahoe and the region.

"I appreciate the District Attorney’s thorough investigation and his strong finding and statement that I “clearly harbored no criminal intent” and that Mr. DiMatteo’s charitable donation was unrelated to my vote regarding his business.

"Personally, I am so very grateful to my family, friends and supporters who stood by me and continued to trust me to do the public’s business."

Swanson's term on the city council ends in 2014 and she is currently a candidate for El Dorado County Supervisor