Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary on July 18, a little over two weeks after beginning her role. Marin County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a noise complaint at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor and found Forbes aboard a 75-foot yacht she did not own. She had allegedly boarded the vessel without permission and sounded its horn for an extended period starting around 5:30 a.m.
Forbes, who was sworn in on July 1, had been placed on administrative leave by the city on July 14, pending an internal review. The city has not disclosed the reasons for the leave, citing privacy concerns, but the timing has raised questions about her brief tenure. Deputies had been searching for Forbes for four days following a missing-persons report.
According to reports, the yacht's captain, Bill Aubrey, found Forbes inside the wheelhouse. He described her demeanor as "normal, friendly" and noted she was not disheveled, though empty bottles of vodka and tequila were found. Forbes initially claimed the vessel was hers and stated she was having "a bad morning." There was no apparent damage or theft associated with the incident.
Forbes, a native of San Francisco, has a background in public administration, holding a master’s degree in urban planning. She previously held positions at organizations including the Urban Strategies Council, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget Analyst’s Office, the Planning Department, and the San Francisco Airport. From 2010, she worked for the Port of San Francisco, eventually becoming its executive director in 2016. In that role, she managed approximately 270 staff and oversaw initiatives related to sea-level rise resilience and post-pandemic recovery.
She announced her departure from the Port of San Francisco in September 2025, citing the demanding nature of leading the complex public enterprise. The city of Sausalito selected her for the $275,000 annual city manager position in May 2026.
Following her arrest, a spokesperson for Forbes' family stated, "Elaine is experiencing a mental health crisis. We ask that no one rush to judgment based on limited information." The statement emphasized that mental health challenges deserve compassion and appropriate treatment.
The incident has prompted discussions about the vetting process for public officials and the balance between personal privacy and the public's interest in capable leadership. Forbes's arrest occurred shortly after her relationship with Angela Calvillo, clerk of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, reportedly ended in October 2024.