The Santa Clara County District Attorney said the defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020. at San Jose's Hall of Justice. 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. They should not be for sale.". But the approval rate skyrockets for the 28 applicants who either gave campaign cash to Sheriff Laurie Smith directly or where a family member or employer donated. Jail reform is one of the key issues in the Sheriff's race, pitting former Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen against former . Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. "The DA's office is continuing to investigate more crimes and more individuals related to Sheriff Smith's issuance of CCW licenses. He says it's time for Sheriff Smith to speak out if she knows anything "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. New sheriff adds Realtor to her command staff Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. He wants to prioritize building morale in the office, which he said has been low for many years, and to rebuild relationships with the San Jose Police Departmenthe claims Smith neglected. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. Sheriff Bio - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara Sheriff Bob Jonsen has been in law enforcement since 1986. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. Law Enforcement. Between 2014 and 2019, only about 150 permits were issued or renewed in Santa Clara County. Coroner releases autopsy report for man shot by deputies Contact Eli Wolfe at[emailprotected]or@EliWolfe4on Twitter. "I think people should be treated fairly and equally under this system," Long said. Public Safety Alliance ("PSA"), an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. 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. Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. Jonsen, 59, spent the last four years working as police chief in Palo Alto. The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) A retired captain for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is joining the race to become the next sheriff, now the second opponent looking to unseat current. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The Constitution for the United States of America and its capstone iBill of Rights is the Law of the Land; and all statutes and state constitutions repugnant to the Constitution for the United States of America are null and void. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. All Rights Reserved. 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. He started his law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1989. 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. Our jail is among the 100 systems nationwide with an inmate population of more than 1,000. First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. In the 20 years that Neil Valenzuela has worked for the Sheriffs Office, he keeps coming back to Saratoga. Election 2022 candidates for Santa Clara County Sheriff: retired Palo Alto police chief Bob Jonsen (left) and retired sheriff's captain Kevin Jensen. Hannah Kanik is a Bay Area News Group reporter covering Santa Clara County's West Valley for The Mercury News, East Bay Times, The Los Gatos Weekly and The Saratoga News. Flood Advisory issued for Santa Clara Co. . Photo courtesy of Kevin Jensen. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Valenzuela said Saratogas spike in residential burglaries is on his radar. The morale will get better, then the whole department, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. Sheriff Smith has consistently declined to comment on year-and-a-half-long probe. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. 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. Capt. Neil Valenzuela takes over Sheriff's West Valley Patrol Division "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. Your email address will not be published. Jensen started working as a deputy at Elmwood Correctional Facility in 1985. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. Election 2022: The vote for a new South Bay sheriff Christine Nagaye wants to transform theoffice into a national role model. 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.. Capt. 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. 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. Last . This is your newsroom. James Jensen, attorney Christopher Schumb, attorney Harpaul Nahal and business owner Michael Nichols allegedly conspired with the CEO and a middle manager of an international security company to offer a $90,000 bribe in exchange for concealed weapons permits, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. 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 charges. BY EMILY MIBACH. 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 a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges in a scheme tied to Sheriff Laurie Smith's reelection campaign. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. For the average member of the public, no matter how pressing or justified their need, if they follow the procedure laid out on the sheriff's website and mail in an application, it will will not be reviewed. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. | All donations are tax-deductible. 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. Jensen is competing with three other candidates: sheriff Sgt. Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates Kevin Jensen and Bob Jonsen. 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 charges. He wants to dismantle the system of nepotism that he claims took root in the Sheriffs Office during Smiths tenure. The state attorney general is investigating possible civil rights violations in the jail system, and Smith is fighting a political corruption accusation brought by a civil grand jury that claims she granted concealed firearm licenses to political supporters. As of January, shes raised $8,400. Santa Clara County Sheriff Race - NBC Bay Area Command Staff - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara You do the math. We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles or any asset of the judgment debtor. How safe is your neighborhood? An inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation -- which was reported in public filings -- spurred the DA to start an investigation shortly after the general election in 2018. Isnt that what Sheriff Laurie Smith had/has been saying? public and her constituents and say what's going on. 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. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The associations members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him.. 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. 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. That is what we are doing here.. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain Among 4 Indicted In DA's Jensen has picked up support from the main unions serving jail employees: the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association. Im the candidate that brings the fresh perspective and greatest opportunity for change.. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? 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. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office issued the following comment to ABC7 News. Hirokawa said Jensen's quick rise to captain after Smith's re-election raised eyebrows in the office at the time. Civil/Warrants - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara We are not done, he said. She is now on paid administrative leave. ", According to the indictment, the alleged criminal activity began in April 2018 with a text from Nichols to attorney Harpaul Nahal, saying, "I need you to meet my buddy that runs the Facebook Executive protection team, followed by: its a potential $50K. 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 will always remember my oath to protect and servethat will be my ultimate oath, and thats why Im running for sheriff.. Santa Clara Sheriffs gun-permit process: public safety or politics? Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County sheriff She is also a veteran, having served for five years as a combat medic and training officer in the army. "They should not be for sale. Hope Now we get a real sherriff elected. Stromgren, who oversaw the security firms Facebook protection team, has not been charged, and testified to the grand jury that he was uneasy about the arrangement. Laurie Smith - Wikipedia Hiscampaign filings do not reflect a total amount raised to date, but the candidate himself says hes raised about $50,000. When asked if Jensen was acting on his own or working with Sheriff Smith, Rosen said that because the investigation was ongoing, it was not appropriate for him to comment on the possible roles of other individuals. By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? In a statement, attorney Harry S. Stern said: "James is devastated by this development. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September.The association's members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him. Sources have told this news organization that Nielsen a central figure in the scheme, who wrote the $45,000 check that touched off the investigation after Smith was re-elected in 2018 cooperated with investigators early on. And its not because I can give them any promotions or instantly solve their problemsits because Ive earned their trust over a long period of time.. We have seen such words used when the City Council has voted. 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. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. Emergency: 9-1-1; Emergency and Non-Emergency Number from all phones: (408) 299 - 2311; General Information from cellular phone: (408) 808 - 4400 Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. He previously served as a board member of the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association and is founder of Lodge 65 of the Fraternal Order of Police in California. This all took place in 2018, while Sheriff Laurie Smith, who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses, was in a race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections. The investigation is active and ongoing," said Rosen. Colton is a latecomer to the race, having filed her nomination papers in March. 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. 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. The sheriff's race: What they'd do if elected | News | Palo Alto Online He plans to implement greater civilian oversight in the jail systeman outstanding concern among county officials. Allowing her team to continually bully and brutalize mentally challenged inmates is disgusting. In addition Robert Johnson has done his best to avoid transparency. The complete transcript of the grand jury's findings will be released in the coming weeks. Sources tell the I-Team that Le was a supervisor at the Main Jail's sally port when a mentally ill inmate was beating his head against a post inside a transport van. He is my choice. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain to Run Against Incumbent Sheriff Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department - Yelp Sean Allen. ALL RIGHT K J!!!!! Source: https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf. At a Cupertino City Council meeting on Aug. 2, Ken Binder, former division commander, introduced Urena and described him as an experienced officer, ready for the new role. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. We are not done.". 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. 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. After Smith won that race, she promoted Le to captain. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. Woman found fatally shot on I-580 off-ramp Ricardo "Rich" Urena has been tapped to replace . Kevin Jensen, a retired captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, is running to replace Laurie Smith. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. My unique experience speaks for myself. Jensen has also received endorsements from retired county supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran and former sheriff Robert Winter. FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith walks to a news conference in Cupertino, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. Custody Division - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara I haven't been provided any evidence at this point, but broadly speaking I believe that all of the folks involved were legally able to obtain the permits. Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. I live in Palo Alto, am happy that Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonson is leaving his Palo Alto position. Urena has a wealth of patrol experience, he told the five-member city council. Sheriffs Capt. I would make every attempt and work tirelessly with community leaders to let them know the Sheriffs Office, or law enforcement as a whole, is here for you.. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. I will let people know this department is going to be run based on performance and rewards for performance.. | All donations are tax-deductible. He served various roles for the next three decades, including as an assistant chief in the department of corrections and as jail administration commander. Live Bay Area weather updates: Massive trees fall onto homes in Santa Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations," Rosen said. If you care about your Constitutional rights, vote for the person who UNDERSTANDS and actually WILL uphold the US Constitution and your unalienable rights! 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. And if she feels that Allen was firm, fair and integrity was not an issue. Emergency Contact Information . With all of the county's 754 precincts reporting as of 5 p.m. Wednesday,. A veteran staff trainer, Allen wants to change how officers apply use of force, saying there need to be more alternatives for de-escalating situations and preventing harm to inmates. That was the first step in a conspiracy to "help AS Solution, Inc. manager Martin Nielsen procure hard-to-obtain CCW licenses for his company's executive protection agents," according to the indictment. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. she can't talk freely, then she needs to step down," Hirokawa said. Transcripts show the county supervisor blamed a chronically bad memory for his inability to recall whether he fulfilled the proficiency requirements. 1:45 p.m. The division commander is Captain Rich Urena, who serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Los Altos Hills. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. The culture of management can no longer be one of fear and intimidation.. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. 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. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Attorney Christopher Schumb, right, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Schumb was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Palo Alto police are out-of-control and Palo Alto has lots of payouts to victims. Sheriff Campaign Scandal: 4 Indicted in Concealed Carry 'Pay to Play 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. 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. Prosecutors allege that Nielsen and West were connected to Jensen by Schumb, Nahal and Nichols to get $90,000 split between the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance whose assistant treasurer was Schumb, a veteran South Bay litigator and the Sheriffs Advisory Board. In 2017, she received $449,767.49 with overtime and benefits, on a $142,530.12 base salary. This is the organizations third time endorsing an opponent of incumbent Laurie Smith, who has served as head of the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office since 1998. Palo Alto police chief enters race for Santa Clara County sheriff, Santa Clara County sergeant steps into sheriffs race, Second challenger joins race for Santa Clara County sheriff, Former opponent challenges embattled Santa Clara County sheriff, https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf, Helen Chapman fights to save San Joses open space, Bejarano: Why I quit my East San Jose school board, Out of work: Beloved San Jose reverend faces uphill climb, Silicon Valley students stranded by shuttered schools, San Jose legislator wants to raise foster age. "We will follow the evidence where it leads. Sources close to the case tell the ABC7 News I-Team that the removal stems from an unpermitted arbor and barbecue grill Amy Le built at the jail with her own money, but using inmate labor. "I think as an elected official, she needs to come forward and tell the 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. it's safer than driving," said Marin County Fire Captain Matt Watson. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Michael Nichols, right, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Nichols was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. "If you made a campaign donation and if Captain Jensen knew you to be a VIP, then you got special treatment and you got a CCW license," Rosen said. As a detective he was assigned to the West Valley division, he was also one of our tactical flight observers up in our sheriffs helicopter, a field training officer and recruit training officer at the academy.. So he is also a liar. The 16-page indictment, which you can read here , lays out each defendant's alleged role in the scheme to secure a massive campaign contribution for Smith in exchange for concealed gun permits. Urena will oversee a division that serves the communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills and unincorporated areas of the county, bringing 14 years of experience into the role. Reggie Cooks said he couldn't disclose why that happened and offered the following official response: "In . He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. He said after Friday's news, Sheriff Smith needs to go. "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," Rosen said. Santa Clara County Corrections Capt. Amy Le Put on Paid Leave Reverend Jeff Moore, the head of the NAACP Silicon Valley Chapter had a CCW permit, but it was never renewed for reasons unknown. August 10, 2016 at 12:02 p.m. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September. 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. 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. Five candidates are jockeying for Smiths seat. He also plans to improve the treatment for mentally ill inmatesand overall conditions in the jail system. 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 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.