[4] On March 29, 2023, news broke of a lawsuit by an employee of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System alleging that Fletcher had sexually assaulted her and that she was then fired after resisting his advances,[5][6] and that evening, he announced his resignation from the board of supervisors, effective at the end of his medical leave.

His childhood and family background became an issue during his campaign for mayor, when opponents accused him of dishonesty because of apparent inconsistencies in talking about his father.

He had tried to keep the details of his background private, but faced with the accusations, he and his mother gave an interview to KPBS in which they explained the apparent contradictions as resulting from the difference between his biological father and his stepfather.

After graduating from college, Fletcher worked for the International Republican Institute,[9] a nongovernmental organization seeking to build and improve democracies around the world.

[13] During his time in Iraq, Fletcher worked to build relationships with the native population, leading his supervisors to describe him as "compassionate and focused.

"[14] On April 9, 2004, Fletcher and three other Marines fended off an enemy ambush when participating in a Quick Reaction Force to aid a VIP convoy.

[15] Fletcher got his start in San Diego politics serving for two years as the District Director for Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham.

[21] On February 25, 2010, 17-year-old Chelsea King was murdered by John Albert Gardner when jogging at a local community park in Rancho Bernardo.

In response to the public outrage, Fletcher sponsored Chelsea's Law to prevent future tragedies by offering life without parole sentencing to criminals charged with violent sex offenses.

Fletcher, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and other locations, was the first California Republican legislator to endorse ending this policy.

"[27] Fletcher was a proponent of implementing a Mandatory Single Sales Factor on out-of-state corporations that conduct business in California but operate outside the state.

Other notable legislation that Fletcher supported include the Corporate Tax and Middle-Class Scholarship Fund, Assembly Bill 877 Prohibiting Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals, and the Foreclosure Reduction Act.

[29][30] In 2012, Fletcher helped prevent a janitor's strike in San Diego by calling CEOs on behalf of workers to advocate for expanding health care coverage.

[50] Fletcher was also sued in March 2023 by a former MTS employee who claimed that he had sexually assaulted and harassed her, including by forcibly kissing and fondling her, and that she was then fired after resisting his advances.

[51] Fletcher admitted to "consensual interactions" with her and apologized for violating "the basic trust and loyalty of my marriage," but denied any use of force.

[52] Hours after the news of the lawsuit broke, he announced his resignation from the Board of Supervisors, effective at the end of his medical leave.

He said in a statement that his position would include developing global strategies for wireless health initiatives, mobile education, and the protection of intellectual property, but will not involve lobbying or government relations.

[55] His title was later changed to Global Strategic Initiatives, and in 2017, he announced he was leaving Qualcomm to dedicate more time to UCSD and community issues.

[58] He teaches classes in the department of political science, as well as mentoring and advising students and helping to develop public policy projects.

"[59] In 2013, an investigative report by the San Diego Union Tribune noted that, unlike the other candidates for mayor, Fletcher did not make his college transcripts public, nor provide them to UCSD before his hiring.

[66] On March 13, 2013, Fletcher brought together law enforcement, community, business, labor, and faith-based leaders to form San Diegans United for Common Sense Immigration Reform.

[67] The coalition came to an agreement to advocate for a pathway to citizenship, reform to the immigrant visa system, smart border security, and basic human rights.

[12] In 2003, he married Mindy Tucker, who had served as campaign manager and deputy chief of staff for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[75] A San Diego police investigation concluded that the fire was deliberately set and offered a $1,000 reward for help in identifying the arsonist.