Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Among the charges he faces, Jensen, along with AS Solution program manager Jack Stromgren, is accused of instructing AS Solution security employees to falsify their home addresses or employer to meet in-county residency requirements for the sheriffs CCW permits. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office issued the following comment to ABC7 News. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. 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. "I'm feeling very hopeful and optimistic, cautiously. Thats why his chances a slim. So he is also a liar. I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. 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. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. California sheriff suspended after inmates make her a BBQ grill 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. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. End of an era: San Jose antique shops could disappear, Robes, candles and chants: South Bay official in hot water over religious ceremony, Proposed tax law threatens billions in San Jose funding. The other three members of her command staff including former Mountain View . The DA's investigation began shortly after the general election in 2018, sparked by an inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation, which was reported in public filings. Permits to carry a concealed weapon can be difficult to obtain in Santa Clara County, as they are in most of the Bay Area. 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. Capt. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. 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.. Love to know the next forum is. In 2017, another captain had used inmate labor to build arbors and a storage shed. Jensen said hes concerned about the large number of mentally ill inmates in the jail system, butbelieves those with violent offenses need to be incarcerated. Ex-Jail Captain Sues Santa Clara Co. Sheriff's Office for Alleged Santa Clara County Sheriff Race - NBC Bay Area Bios - Captain Luis Martin | City of Santa Clara Sheriff Robert Jonsen Sheriff's Office Facebook Page Sheriff's Office Twitter Feed Sheriff's Office Instagram Feed Contact Us 55 West Younger Avenue San Jose, CA 95110-1721 Phone: (408) 808-4400 Toll Free: (800) 211-2220 Fax: (408) 294-2467 Email: so.website@shf.sccgov.org Nielsens cooperation with the DA was affirmed in the grand jury transcripts, in which he testified that he understood he was still subject to potential misdemeanor charges even if he helped the prosecution. August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM Thankfully, SJS usually gives the names of those who voted against a proposal. / CBS San Francisco. 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. He wants to dismantle the system of nepotism that he claims took root in the Sheriffs Office during Smiths tenure. Every captain thats worked on this side of town has made an impact with the community. The non-donor approval rate plummets even further for applicants who most would consider average citizens. Among the 40 non-donors to be granted concealed gun permits between 2014 and 2018 are three sitting judges, two current members of the San Jose Sharks hockey team, at least one employee of the sheriffs office, and five people who appear to be Santa Clara County reserve deputies. He also plans to improve the treatment for mentally ill inmatesand overall conditions in the jail system. Both Smith and Undersheriff Rick Sung invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination when they appeared before a criminal grand jury Aug. 3, and refused to answer any questions about the scandal, according to transcripts of the proceedings. I am a mom, wife, a veteran, LGBTQ+ ally and I understand the diversity of Santa Clara County, Nagaye said. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Jensen said he is also proud to have the support of former county Supervisor Blanca Alvarado. The culture of management can no longer be one of fear and intimidation.. The following month, Nielsen and AS Solution, Inc. CEO Christian West met with Nichols, Hahal, and attorney Christopher Scumb at the Sainte Claire Club in San Jose, where Schumb described his fundraising work for Sheriff Smith and told Nielsen to seek out then Sheriff's Lieutenant James Jensen at the Best in the West SWAT competition. document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); San Jos residents deserve a trusted source for unbiased, independent political news. I will not vote for him for Sheriff. Election 2022: The vote for a new South Bay sheriff SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith has been found guilty on all six corruption and misconduct counts in her civil corruption trial. Civil/Warrants - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara The citys residential burglary rate is up 34%. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. When I got my prints taken here, it was my third fingerprinting in probably ten months, as all my jobs involve(d) either working with minors or with school districts that serve minors. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office West Valley Division. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. She needs to leave and take the stench shes created with her. "I know they used a lot of that money on social media, slamming me," he said. He said after Friday's news, Sheriff Smith needs to go. Per a plea agreement, his charges will be downgraded to misdemeanors and a maximum 18-month jail sentence in exchange for his cooperation with the district attorney. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. "The DA's office is continuing to investigate more crimes and more individuals related to Sheriff Smith's issuance of CCW licenses. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Prosecutors expected to get alleged De Anza rape case She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. The conflict is so real and so grave that fair treatment of Schumb is unlikely unless the district attorneys office is disqualified, Wall wrote in the motion. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County sheriff In 2017, she received $449,767.49 with overtime and benefits, on a $142,530.12 base salary. Sheriff Campaign Scandal: 4 Indicted in Concealed Carry 'Pay to Play Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen said he wants to apply his experience working in the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to fix some of the long-time issues in Santa Clara Countys office. 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. Command Staff - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara A retired Santa Clara County sheriffs captain who ran for office in 2014 and lost, Kevin Jensen believes he has the momentum to take the seat. Urena has also served as a field training officer, recruit training officer, detective in the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement team, a sergeant in the West Valley detective division, as a tactical flight observer aboard the sheriffs office helicopter, STAR 1, and as a mentor and leader to deputies. NBC Bay Area called or emailed each of the four defendants in the case Friday, but so far, only Jensen's attorney has responded. "My concern is not whether the sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," said Rosen. Political action committees for the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Jensens campaign when he ran against Smith in 2014. "On August 7, 2020, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office publicly announced that Captain James Jensen has been formally charged with felony bribery, conspiracy and falsifying public documents by a Grand Jury.". The morale will get better, then the whole department, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. "CCW licenses should not be given out in exchange for campaign donations. Reverend Jeff Moore, the head of the NAACP Silicon Valley Chapter had a CCW permit, but it was never renewed for reasons unknown. Kevin Jensen said Tuesday that it was "humbling" that two unions want him to run against Sheriff Laurie . The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. West Valley Detectives. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations. Ex-CEO of security firm pleads guilty in Santa, 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, Ex-CEO of security firm pleads guilty in Santa Clara County gun-permit bribery case, Sheriff and undersheriff plead the Fifth, supervisor blames bad memory in Santa Clara County gun-permit probe, Ex-CEO of security firm charged in Santa Clara County sheriff concealed-gun permit bribery case, Four indicted in Santa Clara County Sheriff concealed gun permit scandal, Big donor to Santa Clara County sheriffs campaign was issued rare concealed gun permit. All rights reserved, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Campaign Scandal Widens, Donors to Sheriff's Political Campaigns Far More Likely to Get Concealed Gun Permits, Los Gatos Mom Accused of Hosting Alcohol-Fueled Teen Parties Attacked in Jail, Hospitalized, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, Another Bay Area Storm This Weekend: Rain and Snow Forecast. Smiths tenure as sheriff has been marred by scandals and political investigations. If they dont get this then they are oblivious and are incapable of doing a good job if elected. There may have been policies or procedures broken with regard to that project, but there must be more to the story," said Retired Undersheriff and Chief of Correction, John Hirokawa who in the past oversaw the jails. it's safer than driving," said Marin County Fire Captain Matt Watson. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. The Sheriff's Office Parks Patrol Unit provides law enforcement services for the 28 regional parks and lakes managed by the Santa Clara County Parks Department. She has been working for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers since 2015. As of January, shes raised $8,400. Related Articles Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. We know Kevin Jensen as a person and we understand his leadership qualities, Ryan Elder, president of the association, told San Jos Spotlight. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. 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. In 2020, Luis was selected as the Acting Captain of the Special Operations Division and officially became fulltime Captain of this same division in September of 2021. The new sheriff of San Mateo County, Christina Corpus, has been assembling a command staff that includes a former Realtor who has little law enforcement experience, though he has volunteered with the Woodside Mounted Patrol. According to the transcripts, Deputy District Attorney Matt Braker asked Montonye, (Jensen) said that Sung was the individual who brought Martin Nielsen to his attention? to which the investigator replied, Correct. Montonye also testified that Jensen said he was directed by Sung to give the money tell him to give the money to Schumb.. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. My resolutions are not something Im just sayingits something Ive been doing my entire career.. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'.
Paddy Conroy Documentary,
James Luna The Artifact Piece 1987,
Unemployment Appeal Decision Reversed,
Dax Measure Count Number Of Occurrences In A Column,
Mini Nubians For Sale Ohio,
Articles S
