To be fair, all candidates seem passionate about wanting to a good job as sheriff and the questions asked are valid questions for any managerial jobs. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Captain James Jensen among 4 people indicted by grand jury yesterday according to DA Jeff Jensen @nbcbayarea. Reverend Jeff Moore, the head of the NAACP Silicon Valley Chapter had a CCW permit, but it was never renewed for reasons unknown. We are a bit troubled by the words overwhelmingly and unanimously (and others) when it comes to any voting. I am the only candidate who has addressed these issues for 30 years, Allen said. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. How the scandal-plagued Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will operate in a post-Laurie Smith era will be determined by the vote of the people in the Nov. 8 election. The Sheriff's Office provides a high level of proactive police services to residents, schools, and the businesses within our jurisdiction with a strong emphasis on community service. Laurie Smith (born June 21, 1952) was the 28th Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, serving from 1998 until her early retirement in 2022 when under indictment for corruption. A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. We believe that working with the community, together we achieve great things and Im hoping to carry on that tradition and continue to provide the city of Cupertino with the best law enforcement services that we can.. Though Wasserman is mentioned in the Aug. 6 indictment of Jensen, Schumb, Nahal and Nichols, he too has not been charged. Moreover, he doesn't have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. Emergency Contact Information . In addition to bribery, the indictment charges Jensen with conspiring with AS Solution employees to put false information in their CCW license applications. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. If elected, Jensen said he will focus on addressing staffing and morale decline in the sheriffs office, including the correctional facilities. "It's very unusual for a captain to be walked off in that manner for a project that wasn't for personal gain, on jail property. Jensen advised Nielsen to instruct AS Solution employees who were not residents of Santa Clara County to use local corporate addresses as their residence addresses in their applications. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Custody Division is the fifth largest jail system in California, and among the 20 largest systems in the United States. Capt. The activity took place in 2018 while Sheriff Laurie Smith -- who had the authority to grant the permits -- was in a tough battle race for reelection in both the primary and general elections. Public Safety Alliance ("PSA"), an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. The public information officers sergeants Richard Glennon, Reginald Cooks and Michael Low also testified that Jensen was still heavily involved in shepherding the CCW application process despite being promoted out of the PIO office, in a rapid ascendance from sergeant to lieutenant and then captain in just a few years. He is my choice. Reggie Cooks said he couldn't disclose why that happened and offered the following official response: "In . Civil process includes restraining orders, bench warrants, arrest warrants, evictions and any other notice or order from the courts. Detectives pursue all cases to conclusion from reports generated by patrol deputies, except those cases dealing with homicide, sex, or narcotics, which are . August 10, 2016 at 12:02 p.m. Saratoga installed an Automatic License Plate Reader system at several intersections last spring to track cars coming in and out of the city and deter crime. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. An experienced set of fresh eyes is going to help pave the way toward putting an appropriate spotlight on transparency, and building trust within the community, Elder said. He got his start in the West Valley working as a patrol deputy and detective before he was assigned as the investigator for the county councils office. The next sheriff will havesignificant challenges, including the ongoing warehousing of mentally ill inmates in the jail system, increased political scrutiny of the Sheriffs Office and the constructionof a new jail. NIchols owns a company called The Gun Co., which manufactures firearms parts. In a statement, attorney Harry S. Stern said: "James is devastated by this development. The Civil Warrants Division serves Civil process in the manner prescribed by law. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. Office Hours. As the new captain assigned to the West Valley patrol division, Im committed to the legacy weve built here in the city of Cupertino, he said. With Californias soaring mountains steep in snow, heres how to avoid an avalanche James Jensen, Christopher Schumb, Harpaul Nahal and Michael Nichols were indicted in the alleged pay-to-play plot, in which they are accused of brokering a deal for the executive security firm AS Solution to receive up to a dozen concealed-carry weapon permits in exchange for $90,000 in campaign donations to committees supporting Smiths 2018 re-election bid. They should not be for sale.". Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Sheriff's Department Captain James Jensen, attorneys Christopher Schumb and Harpaul Nahal and business owner Michael Nichols are charged with conspiring with the CEO and a middle manager of AS Solution, Inc. -- an international security company -- to offer a $90,000 bribe to obtain concealed firearms permits (CCW licenses) for the company's executive protection agents. West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of sheriff offices West Valley division. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations," Rosen said. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. it's safer than driving," said Marin County Fire Captain Matt Watson. Santa Clara County sheriff-elect Bob Jonsen will take office early after Board of Supervisors vote Jonsen, who was elected sheriff with 50.81% of the vote in November, will become the. Transcripts show the county supervisor blamed a chronically bad memory for his inability to recall whether he fulfilled the proficiency requirements. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. Neil Valenzuela takes over Sheriffs West, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, Capt. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant. Nagayes major endorsement is from the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and she says she has strong support among deputies and residents. FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith walks to a news conference in Cupertino, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Daily Post Staff Writer. My intent is to change not only whats happening at the top of the organization, but some of whos at the top of the organization, Allen told San Jos Spotlight. Amy Le, who led the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Association (CPOA) and went to bat for Sheriff Laurie Smith in her last election, was served a letter charging her with wrongdoing, stripped of her badge and escorted off the job Friday. I just want to do it within reason, getting mental health help we need on the front end, and also providing for those people who have to be in the jails.. Monday through Friday through 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Instead, the application would be filed away and forgotten. Besides sketching out the donation-for-permits plan, he surreptitiously recorded a conversation with Jensen using a DA-provided phone app, at a meeting just days before the corruption probe became public knowledge when search warrants were served at the sheriffs office. The Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Nichols, CEO of The Gun Co. based in Milpitas, reportedly knew Nielsen as a buddy, and eventually worked with Nahal and Schumb to get the alleged quid pro quo in motion. Love to know the next forum is. Len Ramirez and Kiet Do contributed to this story. In a lawsuit filed Nov. 13 in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Amy Le says the Sheriff's Office effectively forced her to resign in retaliation for alerting higher-ups about a female lieutenant's sexual harassment complaint against a high-ranking officer. The Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. Oakland police investigating spate of shootings that left one dead, five wounded We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles or any asset of the judgment debtor. Allen says he stands out from his opponents because hes spent much of his career openly criticizing the office. Rosen reiterated Monday that his offices investigation is still active, but declined to comment on whether prosecutors are any closer to implicating the sheriff. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. But now people are returning back to work, returning to normal life and going on vacations, so folks are starting to take advantage of that.. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and three others have been charged in connection with a gun permit bribery scheme, District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced Friday. Stromgren recalled a conversation he had with Nielsen: I told him on a couple of occasions I didnt feel comfortable. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! I feel the right person for the job is not the smoothest talking person that sounded good. They should not be for sale.". This is your newsroom. The I-Team also reached out to Reggie Cooks, a public affairs officer for the sheriff's department, and he has not responded at the time this story was reported. Undersheriff ensnared in Santa Clara County concealed guns corruption probe, Sheriffs office hit with corruption probe over concealed weapons permits, | Criminal Justice and Public Safety Reporter. Then I suggest you educate other voters so more people are aware. County Sheriff's Captain, Prominent Lawyer Charged with Gun Permit Bribery Scheme. A sheriff's captain was among four people indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges as part of an election campaign scandal tied to Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, the District Attorney's Office said Friday. These cameras capture vehicle license plates and compare them with Sheriffs Office databases to alert authorities when a plate matches a listing. And were here to provide it. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. All of these people do not feel safe, and they feel threatened, Nagaye told San Jos Spotlight. The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. Jonsen said he has experience stabilizing organizations bleeding staff, noting he helped staunch the flow of people leaving the Menlo Park and Palo Alto police departments, in part by raising salaries to a competitive level. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. She would combat this by setting up a retention program. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. He says it's time for Sheriff Smith to speak out if she knows anything To address the offices transparency, Nagaye said she would provide the Board of Supervisors and Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring with all materials that have been requested. In an interview described in testimony from DA investigator Mike Montonye, Jensen said he received direction from Sung, the undersheriff, in brokering the illicit deal. Hiscampaign filings dont reflect a total amount raised to date, but Allen said hesraised $21,000. The testimonies confirm an earlier report from this news organization that found CCW permits were most frequently granted to high-profile applicants, and that the most common condition for approvals was a reference or order from Smith or one of her top commanders. Neil Valenzuela takes over Sheriffs West Valley Patrol Division, 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party, With Californias soaring mountains steep in snow, heres how to avoid an avalanche, Southern California mountain residents head home, for many its the first time in days, Oakland police investigating spate of shootings that left one dead, five wounded, Woman found fatally shot on I-580 off-ramp. about the scheme. Sheriff Smith herself was not among those indicted Friday, but Rosen said his office's investigation is wide ranging and far from over. The remaining four defendants, who were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges, put off entering pleas until Sept. 21. Character is hugeif you dont have the ability to make decisions for the right reasons, it wont work, Jensen said. Only 62 applicants received a permit, according to the records. The exact terms of the deal were hammered out later that month, according to the indictment, when Nielsen and West met with Jensen, Nahal, and Nichols at a San Jose Jamba Juice and agreed upon an exchange of 10-to-12 CCW licenses for a $90,000 donation to Smith's campaign. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. So he is also a liar. Jensen started working as a deputy at Elmwood Correctional Facility in 1985. However, if you are in the words of sheriff's Captain James Jenson a VIP, then he will meet you at Starbucks, personally review your application and help you fill it out. As police chief in Palo Alto, Jonsen said hes helped the city implement a program that partners behavioral health workers with police officers to respond to psychiatric emergencies. Jonsen, who filed his papers to run in January, has received endorsements from former state Sen.Jim Bell, the Democratic Asian Pacific American Club and the Sunnyvale Democratic Club. Source: https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf. Donors accounted for fewer than 4% of all CCW applicants over that time period, but constituted about 35% of those awarded permits, according to the records. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Capt. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and. The side of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office vehicle is pictured in this file photo. "However, if you are -- in the words of Sheriff's Captain James Jenson -- a 'VIP,' then he'll meet you at Starbucks, personally review your application and help you fill it out," said Rosen. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. Most of those applicants did not donate to the Sheriffs political campaign over that time period and fewer than 6% of those non-donors were awarded a concealed gun permit, according to sheriffs office records and publicly available campaign contribution data. Rosen wanted to make it clear his office will hold any public official accountable for misconduct. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. This DAs office has successfully prosecuted elected officials, correctional officers, sheriffs deputies, police officers, attorneys, business owners and other prominent residents, Rosen said in a statement to this news organization Monday. Jail reform is one of the key issues in the Sheriff's race, pitting former Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen against former . Smiths tenure as sheriff has been marred by scandals and political investigations. Urena has a wealth of patrol experience, he told the five-member city council. There are some very strong advocates for changes in the jail system, and Im among them, Jensen said. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Rosen noted that any average member of the public applying for a CCW license in accordance with the instructions on the Sheriff's Office website would not have their application reviewed. California law requires candidates for county sheriff to have experience as certified law enforcement officers. In Santa Clara County, there's only room for one sheriff in town. In the 20 years that Neil Valenzuela has worked for the Sheriffs Office, he keeps coming back to Saratoga. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. As a lieutenant, Le was the first female president of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Peace Officers Association, and steered the union's endorsement to Sheriff Laurie Smith this past election. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. After submitting 7 CCW license applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated the first half of that amount to the Santa Clara County. After Smith won that race, she promoted Le to captain. "I know a definitive link to Sheriff Smith has not been established based on these indictments, but I'm interested to see how things develop as this investigation continues into the future," said Chris Long, who applied for a CCW permit in 2019, but was denied after months of waiting. MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain Amy Le got walked off the job at Elmwood Jail this past Friday in tears, her badge and county vehicle taken away. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen gave to Schumb -- the PSA's assistant treasurer -- represented more than half of the funds raised by the organization prior to the election that year. He started his law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1989. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Jonsen couldnt even run Palo Alto PD. Capt. They could spend time in prison if they are convicted. Im the candidate that brings the fresh perspective and greatest opportunity for change.. Hes worked in every area of sheriffs office jurisdiction. The recently released autopsy report of Thomas Phan, a 40-year-old homeless man shot and killed by deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station on Nov. 16, provided new details . San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. Your email address will not be published. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. The investigation found that weeks after the scheme was hatched, the conspirators settled on a $90,000 "donation" in exchange for 10 to 12 CCW licenses. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy . She is also facing a civil grand jury accusation for corrupt misconduct and a state attorney general investigation into possible civil rights violations in the county jail. SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that four people -- including a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain -- have been indicted by. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters told San Jos Spotlight Colton is a registered voter in the county, and submitted a signed declaration swearing she meets the requirements of the position. As of January, shes raised $8,400. That is what we are doing here.. Last . Five candidates are jockeying for Smiths seat. For a look at more stories and videos by the ABC7 News I-Team go here. The $45,000 personal check, which Nielsen handed to the PSA's assistant treasurer, Schumb, represented more than half of the funds raised by the PSA before the election that year. She has spent months fending off attacks from the Board of Supervisors, which voted no confidence in her leadership. Kinda like if you are applying for a cook job and you are not aware that preparing meals is the basic part of your job then what is the point of continuing the job interview? In a statement, the sheriff's office said Jensen will be placed on administrative leave immediately. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. She previously worked as a reporter for PhillyVoice in Philadelphia and freelanced for The Seattle Times and The Whiskey Wash. She grew up in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA degree from the University of Oregon where she majored in journalism and minored in political science. Rosen said there were two paths when it came to the issuing of concealed gun permits by the sheriff's office: One for average citizens and one for campaign donors and VIPs. Jensen later instructed AS Solutions Inc. to have their executive protection agents falsify the names of their employer on their CCW applications, and for those agents living outside the county, to falsify their addresses as well, according to the indictment. Sheriff Smith has consistently declined to comment on year-and-a-half-long probe. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. Saying yes, but doing NO. Capt. She is now on paid . Ive worked at other places with the Sheriffs Office here and there but I just like the community here, and I like the fact theres more community outreach that we do on this side, Valenzuela said.