The transcripts also contain testimony from three former and current sheriffs public information officers outlining a haphazard process with inconsistent criteria on who got the rarely-issued weapons permits. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. Neither Smith, who has the sole authority in her agency to grant the gun permits, nor Martin Nielsen an AS Solution manager who provided security for Facebook executives has been charged. Hes worked in every area of sheriffs office jurisdiction. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Thats why his chances a slim. The DA's Office said it is continuing to investigate additional crimes and individuals in relation to the issuing of CCW licenses. Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. Sung is now the assistant sheriff for the administrative division. 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. it's safer than driving," said Marin County Fire Captain Matt Watson. Im the only candidate who has experience from a large sheriff organization as well as municipalities, and that diversity will serve me well, Jonsen told San Jos Spotlight, adding that his great-great uncle served as sheriff in Santa Clara County in 1870. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. She is now on paid . 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. How safe is your neighborhood? / CBS San Francisco. We know Kevin Jensen as a person and we understand his leadership qualities, Ryan Elder, president of the association, told San Jos Spotlight. To do it right you have to first know what is the requirement of the job then figure out if the candidates understand those requirements. 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. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office West Valley Division. All of these people do not feel safe, and they feel threatened, Nagaye told San Jos Spotlight. Local News | Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. To avoid the perception of impropriety, Jensen said he wont take any financial contributions from employees. 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. Sheriff Smith herself was not among those indicted Friday, but Rosen said his office's investigation is wide ranging and far from over. He started his law enforcement career with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 1989. we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. You do the math. In a statement, attorney Harry S. Stern said: "James is devastated by this development. 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.. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. 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. ", #Breaking Four people including SantaClara Co Sheriffs Captain indicted in concealed carry pay to play scheme MORE @nbcbayarea. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. We have seen such words used when the City Council has voted. 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. Stromgren recalled a conversation he had with Nielsen: I told him on a couple of occasions I didnt feel comfortable. 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.. Related Articles Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. 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. I worked with S. Allen at Elmwood (I am nurse). Moreover, he doesn't have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. But the sheriff position is not just any typical management job. Allen said in his first 100 days in office he wants to meet with every politician in the county and glean ideas about how to improve his 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. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. She resigned as sheriff on . Moreover, he doesnt have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. Known for. Though Wasserman is mentioned in the Aug. 6 indictment of Jensen, Schumb, Nahal and Nichols, he too has not been charged. 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. He spent the bulk of his career27 yearsin the LA County Sheriffs Department, retiring as captain of Lancaster Station. Reverend Jeff Moore, the head of the NAACP Silicon Valley Chapter had a CCW permit, but it was never renewed for reasons unknown. Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. Sheriff spokesman Sgt. She would combat this by setting up a retention program. Allen says he stands out from his opponents because hes spent much of his career openly criticizing the office. 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. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant. A California sheriff was suspended after she had inmates at a jail in Santa Clara county make her a BBQ for a break space used by corrections staff, a report said Tuesday. 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. He is unlikely to be any better than the current Sherriff. 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. He also notedhes implemented community advisory groups in every command position hes held. 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.. DA Jeff Rosen alleged conspirators solicited $90,000 in campaign contributions for Sheriff Laurie Smiths political campaign in exchange for 10-12 concealed carry gun permits MORE @nbcbayarea. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. Jensen's attorney Harry S. Stern released the following statement to ABC7 News: James is devastated by this development. If they dont get this then they are oblivious and are incapable of doing a good job if elected. And if she feels that I would love to serve in that role.. Contact Eli Wolfe at[emailprotected]or@EliWolfe4on Twitter. SAN JOSE The former CEO of an executive security firm charged in an alleged scheme to trade political donations for concealed-gun permits from the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office abruptly pleaded guilty in the case Monday, in what prosecutors called a significant development for a corruption probe that could threaten Sheriff Laurie Smiths two-decade tenure. He is my choice. 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. Friday afternoon the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office told ABC7 News that Jensen was officially placed on administrative leave. 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. Valenzuela said Saratogas spike in residential burglaries is on his radar. As NBC Bay Area first reported more than a week ago, a criminal grand jury has been looking into allegations of "pay to play" for concealed gun permits in the South Bay. This is your newsroom. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. "I'm feeling very hopeful and optimistic, cautiously. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. Jensen is competing with three other candidates: sheriff Sgt. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office West Valley Division. The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. 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.