Aaron Ochs
By KAREN VELIE
Following an organized push to oust a member of the Morro Bay parks commission because of his aggressive online antics, Aaron Ochs resigned.
A group of people demeaned by Ochs on social media for issues such as having a dirty shirt or speaking their views at public comment, planned to voice their concerns to the Morro Bay City Council on Tuesday evening. Ben DiFatta, an 81-year-old man Ochs claimed was running a criminal enterprise before Ochs taunted him for having food on his shirt, was unable to attend the meeting and instead sent a letter to the city council.
“I am Ben DiFatta from Los Osos, I am one of the people that Aaron Ochs doesn’t like what I wear to the SLO Board of Supervisor meetings and other accusations that probably may affect my reputation and my business with his accusations as reported on Facebook,” DiFatta wrote. “What he said about me and others is over the top of common sense and malice towards citizen’s of this community. I don’t want to say much more for fear that his demeanor may worsen.”
Mayor Jamie Irons said he appreciated DiFatta’s comments, but Ochs had resigned.
“I believe council was aware of his personal opinions and some public push back on his position as a Rec and Park commissioner,” Irons wrote. “Recognizing this Aaron did the honorable thing by resigning from that commission so as to remove any negative comments toward the city (implied or not) and to hold true to his beliefs and positions.”
Ochs, through Facebook and several websites, has made numerous false claims alleging specific people are felons, or diagnosed mentally ill. He has impersonated reporters. He also has frequently manipulated photos of journalists and activists on his website in order to demean them.
Ochs’ online habits led to the organized push to remove him from the city parks commission and from his seat as President of the Morro Bay Eco-Rotary.
