Bay Area city manager charged for allegedly breaking into 66ft yacht while drinking

Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes is facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly breaking into a 66-foot yacht, consuming alcohol, and attempting to steal the vessel. Forbes was arrested on July 18 after police responded to a noise disturbance call.

According to reports, Forbes had apparently broken into the three-story yacht and was found drinking alcohol aboard. The boat's owner, Andy Cunningham, told ABC7 that he found a bottle of maraschino cherries dumped in a shoebox and four empty wine bottles. Capt. Bill Aubrey, who called 911, described hearing the yacht's horn, windshield wipers, and spotlight operating.

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She had the horn going, the windshield wipers going, the spotlight going.

Forbes, who previously served as director of the Port of San Francisco, was initially charged with felony burglary and held on $50,000 bail. However, prosecutors have since reduced the charges to misdemeanors for loitering, squatting, and petty theft. Yacht theft is reportedly uncommon in Marin County.

The Sausalito city council placed Forbes on leave last week during a closed meeting and is currently evaluating her job performance. A spokesperson for the Forbes family issued a statement requesting compassion and patience during this difficult time.

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As the facts become clearer and Elaine obtains legal and healthcare counsel in the coming hours and days, we hope people will respond with compassion, patience and respect for her and her family during an extraordinarily difficult time.