Embattled El Cajon City Councilman Ben Kalasho has resigned.
Kalasho has been plagued by a litany of legal problems, from constituents suing him in federal court for blocking them posting comments on Kalasho’s official Facebook page in violation of free speech, to his fellow City Council suing him for using city resources as part of his re-election campaign in violation of state law.
In a March 25 letter to City Manager Graham Mitchell, Kalasho said he was reg immediately.
"Although my time on the council has been educational, I felt I was constantly battling my colleagues on agenda items and the general direction that my colleagues wanted for the city," Kalasho wrote.
He said items he brought forward and advocated for found little from his fellow council and he said he didn't feel he could be effective on the losing end of 4-1 votes.
Kalasho also said he felt that El Cajon "is headed towards a different direction than the one I’d like to see and had planned."
Kalasho also wrote that "some important family matters have risen whereby my future time is very limited."
He said that he and his wife, Jessica, have resolved legal issues with Zhalam Tawfiq, Paris Kargar and Tres Taqueria, a Mexican restaurant.
Kalasho was named in a 2017 San Diego Superior Court lawsuit alleging fraud, defamation, unfair business practices and other claims related to his fall election campaign and to a beauty pageant he runs with his wife.
A complaint accused Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, of defaming Tawfiq, the 2016 winner of the Miss Middle East Beauty Pageant, in part by posting photos with her likeness on the bodies of naked women on social media.
A 19-page complaint was filed by Tawfiq and three other plaintiffs — pageant participant Kargar, attorney Lina Charry and the taco restaurant.
El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells said he is not sure of what the next steps will be taken to fill Kalasho's City Council position.
Kalasho had two more years in his term since he lost in the city's first by-district election last year for District 1, when he was soundly defeated by Gary Kendrick, who had won 85 percent of the vote in their district.
"Whoever we appoint can only serve the last two years, and if they don't live in a district that is open, they can't run," Wells said.
City Council districts 2, 3 and 4 will be on the ballot in 2020.
Wells said Kalasho's time on the council proved disruptive .
"His behavior has been horrible rude and condescending," Wells said. "He was aggressive with constituents and council. There were multiple accusations of criminal behavior and abusive behavior. It's not right that someone in public office should behave that way. I think he made the right decision by leaving. I hope he will find more peace in his future life and I think it's time for the city of El Cajon to heal from this nightmare."
Kalasho did not return a phone call or text message asking for comment.
In his resignation letter to Mitchell, he thanked El Cajon residents for their over the years and wrote "I wish all parties the best moving forward."
Kalasho, 36, attended Valhalla High in Rancho San Diego.
