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. 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. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. Related Articles 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. Saturday and Sunday through Closed. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. Smiths tenure as sheriff has been marred by scandals and political investigations. You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law. In a statement, the sheriff's office said Jensen will be placed on administrative leave immediately. Over the next 30 years he worked in numerous roles in the county jail and Sheriffs Office. 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. After submitting seven concealed weapon permit applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated $45,000 -- half of the agreed amount -- to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. 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. If theres problems with speeding or people running stop signs, (these events) give them more direct access to us and assist them in a better way.. Prior to being elected as the 29th Sheriff of Santa Clara County, he was the Chief of Police for Palo Alto Police Department (2018-2022). Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. Instead, it will be tossed in a filing cabinet and forgotten. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. 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? Occupation. 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. Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. 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. 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. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. Sean Allen. Nagaye opposes the creation of a new jail, although she does support the creation of a new mental health facility to better meet the needs of mentally ill inmates. "People have often said the only way to obtain a permit in Santa Clara County is to make a donation to the sheriff's office.". While a captain, he was assigned to oversee various Custody Bureau Divisions, including the Main Jail, Elmwood, Jail Reforms, Support Services, and Administrative Services, as well as the Transportation and Internal Affairs Units. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? hoped you would put name in hat .Thanks for running !! By Bay City News Published July 16, 2013. Look at all the officers that left for other agencies under his tenure. 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. 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. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. Three other AS Solution security employees at the time who got permits Leonard Lawrence, Rachael Paskvan and Jonathan Taunton were also described as listing home addresses or non-AS employers on their applications, and have not been charged. She was the first female County Sheriff in the history of the state. 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. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges August 31, 2020 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose. Friday afternoon the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office told ABC7 News that Jensen was officially placed on administrative leave. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Captain James Jensen among 4 people indicted by grand jury yesterday according to DA Jeff Jensen @nbcbayarea. 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. 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. You do the math. FILE - Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith walks to a news conference in Cupertino, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. There were 44 reported burglaries from January to October of 2021, while 59 burglaries were reported in the same time period in 2022. He also plans to improve the treatment for mentally ill inmatesand overall conditions in the jail system. 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. Sheriff Smith herself was not among those indicted Friday, but Rosen said his office's investigation is wide ranging and far from over. In court Monday, he asked Judge Eric Geffon to re-seal the grand jury transcripts on the grounds that his clients trial rights will be prejudiced by their release.. With all of the county's 754 precincts reporting as of 5 p.m. Wednesday,. If the Sheriff lacks a full understanding of the Constitution it would stand to reason that he is vulnerable to violation of his oath. Local News | August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM 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. (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. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. 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. Instead, the application would be filed away and forgotten. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group;. The second installment was forestalled by the DA investigation. Allowing her team to continually bully and brutalize mentally challenged inmates is disgusting. And if she feels that Kristi Myllenbeck covers all things Cupertino, from crime and breaking news to education and development. 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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. First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. 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. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. Character is hugeif you dont have the ability to make decisions for the right reasons, it wont work, Jensen said. Colton is a latecomer to the race, having filed her nomination papers in March. 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. Monday through Friday through 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. Saying yes, but doing NO. As the I-Team reported last September, the man suffered brain damage and his parents are suing the county and the Sheriff's Department. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. They should not be for sale.". Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. From there, he was promoted to lieutenant and came back to Saratoga as the assistant commander of the West Valley Patrol Division. In addition Robert Johnson has done his best to avoid transparency. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. "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.". It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hiscampaign filings do not reflect a total amount raised to date, but the candidate himself says hes raised about $50,000. Ricardo "Rich" Urena has been tapped to replace . The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office issued the following comment to ABC7 News. 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. Nagayes major endorsement is from the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and she says she has strong support among deputies and residents. Le apparently ran into trouble when her superiors did not like her project, and when they learned she didn't have a building permit. 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. Kevin Jensen, a retired captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, is running to replace Laurie Smith. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. In Santa Clara County, there's only room for one sheriff in town. In addition to bribery, the indictment accuses Jensen of conspiring with AS Solution employees to put false information in their CCW license applications. But the sheriff position is not just any typical management job. There are some very strong advocates for changes in the jail system, and Im among them, Jensen said. 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. 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. The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Santa Clara County is getting a new sheriff for the first time in more than two decades, following Laurie Smiths decision to not run for a seventh term. Daily Post Staff Writer. 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. A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. Now, Long said he wants to a see a system that treats all applicants equally. 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. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain James Jensen is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Jensen was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. Hiscampaign filings dont reflect a total amount raised to date, but Allen said hesraised $21,000. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. San Jos Spotlight was unable to find record of Colton serving in law enforcement. 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. 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. Local News | 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. Captain James Jensen, attorney Christopher Schumb, attorney Harpaul Nahal, and business owner Michael Nichols are accused of 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. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September. 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. 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. 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. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. "You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law.". The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. 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. Len Ramirez and Kiet Do contributed to this story. 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Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. "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. Love to know the next forum is. 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. That is the County Sheriffs ultimate job duty. 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. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party I was at the sheriff forum and only one candidate said she would uphold the US Constitution. The morale will get better, then the whole department, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. 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. Woman found fatally shot on I-580 off-ramp 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. Public Safety Alliance ("PSA"), an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. Local News | All of these people do not feel safe, and they feel threatened, Nagaye told San Jos Spotlight. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jonsen said he has experience overseeing crime reduction from his time as a coordinator of the Antelope Valley crime fighting initiative run by the LA Sheriffs Department. By comparison, Sacramento County has more than 5,000 active permits. Office Hours. Earlier this year, the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit analyzed five years' worth of data and found that donors to Smith's political campaigns were about 14 times more likely to get a concealed weapons permit than those who did not contribute.

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