Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California, United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community. The population was 47,853 at the 2010 census, up from 47,214 at the 2000 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, which was in San Diego County, the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo.[1]

Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, the census-designated Coto de Caza and Las Flores on the south, Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on the east.[1]

Government#

Controversies[1]#

• In March 2008, then city attorney John Cavanaugh was suddenly asked to resign by then-Mayor Pro-Tem Gary Thompson with no explanation given or in the record.
• In April 2010 city councilmen Gary Thompson and Neil C. Blais as part of a financial audit in the city of Menifee for billing and contract overbilling.
• In February 2011 Mayor Tony Beall tried to remove councilman Jesse Petrilla while he was on California Army National Guard deployment.
• In September 2019 residents of the city started a recall campaign against long-time city councilman L. Anthony (Tony) Beall.
• In November 2019 long-time city councilwoman and city founder Carol Gamble was found guilty by the FPPC of campaign finance violations.
• In December 2019 long-time city councilman L. Anthony (Tony) Beall was fined by the FPPC for campaign finance reporting issues.

Footnotes#