The Happiest Corruption: Sleaze, Lies, & Suicide in a California Beach Town

by Debbie Peterson

This is insider crime history — my account of politicians, government officials, developers, contractors, and cannabis kings who operate a criminal machine that streams through my small county, bankrolled by public funds, campaign donations, and pallet loads of cash generated by the most valuable crop in the nation.

As the mayor of a friendly little beach town, my story should be a happy memoir. Instead, it evolved into a sinister citizens-turned-spy suspense epic of bribery, extortion, dark money, and death.

How could the beach and vineyard paradise that Oprah called the ‘Happiest City in America’ be riddled with corruption and be legendary with the FBI? I heard whispered stories, sat at board room tables behind closed doors, and had access to people and facts that others do not.

In THE HAPPIEST CORRUPTION you

Journey alongside determined citizens finding government misconduct and learn how you too can spot and fix it.Be inspired by the courage and tenacity of ordinary people who saved their communities and established good government.Know a government con when you see one and know why you know it.Find out how to beat city hall at its worst and be city hall at its best.Most important of all, you will be equipped to make sure your town doesn’t become the next Happiest Corruption in America.

507 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2022

Reviews

[Elizabeth Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peterson describes her experiences in local politics and as an elected local official. She details the way we all fear that politics actually works at all levels: local, state and federal. She augments her experiences with those of her family who were also champions for government that reflected Lincoln’s vision, “…of the people, for the people, and by the people..” Her well-written and referenced book covers examples of corruption in neighboring counties, e.g. Fresno. Importantly, she shows how starts, why it becomes imbedded in politics and she offers potential solutions that require us—the voters and constituents—to become engaged. There is hope and if we ended the payoffs and corruption, the money saved would improve the quality of living for everyone.

[Barbie Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be the toughest rating I've ever given. There is something so brave about this book, a book that exposes shameful corruption in, yes, my town. Debbie Peterson does a good job with all of it. The information within is relevant to every town, I'm sure, to some degree. It's not fun reading. But it does shine a light on the murky underbelly of politics, and it needs to be read. And people need to get involved in what's going on in their towns so the machine doesn't rip them off. Thank you, Debbie Peterson, for your smarts and courage. Keep keeping on. Go get 'em.

[Martha Spalding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great information but I think it could have been edited down some.