AMY PHAN WEST, Westminster Councilmember.

In a moment of high drama on Wednesday night, the Westminster City Council supported the  censure of Councilmember Amy Phan West for a number of alleged violations of the council’s code of conduct.

The censure will become formal if approved by resolution at the Sept. 11 meeting.

After five hours, the vote was three in favor – Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho and Councilmember Carlos Manzo – with Councilmember NamQuan Nguyen opposed and West abstaining.

Ho and Manzo brought the censure proposal to the council, alleging that West had a pattern of actions such as interrupting others, leaving her seat during public comments and at other times, violating confidentiality, and dishonesty and more.

Initially, West tried to rebut the accusations, saying that the charges against her were themselves violations of the code of conduct, and terming other members “The Gang of Three.”

But as the vote approached, she shifted her tone, admitting to all the accusations and promising to correct her behavior if the council would hold off on the proposed censure.

However, Mayor Nguyen shut that off, saying “I don’t take it as sincere.”

Also on Wednesday, the council voted down a proposal to expand the public comment time from three minutes to five minute per speaker.

The next meeting of the council is scheduled for June 26.