Malibu City Councilman Skylar Peak said Monday his actions at a local shopping center, which are at the center of a law enforcement investigation, had nothing to do with his previous bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Peak, who was in a 3-2 vote for the position of mayor pro tem because of the investigation, said he will continue to do his best to represent the city.
"I look forward to serving our community with integrity and distinction," said Peak, who was the top vote getter in April's election and was in line to become mayor pro tem. Instead, the council voted to appoint Joan House to the position on a temporary basis.
In a prepared speech at Monday's meeting, Peak spoke publicly about the incident at the Point Dume Village for the first time at a City Council meeting.
Peak is accused of running around the parking lot in a speedo swimsuit, screaming, knocking over shopping carts and brandishing pair of scissors as a knife in July, according to the sheriff's department.
Security guards at the shopping center were concerned for the safety of everyone at the center, including their own, and called 911. Peak was taken to the Del Amo Hospital in Torrance for a behavioral health evaluation.
"At no point did I threaten anyone in any manner," Peak said of the incident.
Peak said he had a "debate" with the security officers that ended up with the calling of the sheriff's department.
He said he was released from a medical facility in accordance with the law, and that he was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
"I have been in treatment and will continue to be in treatment," Peak said. "... This incident is in no way related to any mental health issues that I may be working on."
Mayor Lou La Monte thanked Peak for his comments.
"Thank you for clearing that up. I do appreciate it," La Monte said.
Mayor Pro Tem
During the council's Aug. 28 meeting, both La Monte and outgoing Mayor Laura Zahn Rosenthal said the ongoing into Peak's alleged behavior at a Malibu shopping center needed some time to work itself out.
"You have an active police investigation right now. You’ve only been on the council for a few months. I think if we just waited five more months, I really think that you would have the chance. I think that you could then get those things behind you, step up and do a really great job for the city,” Rosenthal said at the meeting.
Peak, who nominated himself for the position of mayor pro tem, said he believed the city should follow precedence of appointing the top vote getter.
Councilman John Sibert supported Peak's nomination, and refused a motion that would have made Sibert mayor pro tem.
Following the meeting, Peak said he plans to revisit the idea of taking over as mayor pro tem soon and that he made the speech to "be clear."
He said he is no longer taking prescribed drugs for his bipolar diagnosis.
"I've been weaned off it under medical supervision," Peak said, adding that he is exercising and back to his regular routine and is thinking clearly.
He said he was on medication during July's incident.
Peak declined to elaborate on the status of his intent to press charges against one of the security guards.
"I think that would be a non-issue at this point," Peak said.
La Monte said the investigation into Peak's behavior is continuing.
"The real concern I had was that there is a police investigation," La Monte said.
Rosenthal agreed with the mayor.
"I appreciate [Peak's] comments, but my concerns remain," Rosenthal said.
