The department also said it's monitoring the situation and has no additional information to provide at this time. Saying yes, but doing NO. BY EMILY MIBACH. Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen remained on track Wednesday to be elected Santa Clara County's next sheriff. The Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriffs Offices Detective Division. Provides investigative services for all of the North/West Santa Clara County unincorporated areas and the contract cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills. 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. 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. Kevin Jensen, a retired captain with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, is running to replace Laurie Smith. 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. 2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom at California wedding party Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. Contact Eli Wolfe at[emailprotected]or@EliWolfe4on Twitter. I was at the sheriff forum and only one candidate said she would uphold the US Constitution. Jensen started working as a deputy at Elmwood Correctional Facility in 1985. For a look at more stories and videos by the ABC7 News I-Team go here. "They should not be for sale. The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. 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. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. 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. 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. First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. That is what we are doing here.. Comments are moderated and approved by administrators. 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. In response to a list of questions, Colton referred San Jos Spotlight to aquestionnaireshe filled out for a recent sheriff candidate forum. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hiscampaign filings dont reflect a total amount raised to date, but Allen said hesraised $21,000. Hiscampaign filings do not reflect a total amount raised to date, but the candidate himself says hes raised about $50,000. 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. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations. To avoid the perception of impropriety, Jensen said he wont take any financial contributions from employees. 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? Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. 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. We know Kevin Jensen as a person and we understand his leadership qualities, Ryan Elder, president of the association, told San Jos Spotlight. Monday through Friday through 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. And were here to provide it. Jonsen said the county should offer more skill-based programs in the jails for inmates so they can find employment upon release. 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. Im the candidate that brings the fresh perspective and greatest opportunity for change.. 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. I think its a trend that were seeing, property crimes increasing, now that were going back to work, Valenzuela said. 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. In addition to conspiracy and bribery charges, Jensen is accused of falsifying public records. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. | All donations are tax-deductible. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. A grand jury has indicted Santa Clara County Undersheriff Rick Sung and added an additional indictment against a captain linked to a concealed weapons permit scandal that has rocked the Sheriff's . So he is also a liar. 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. He is my choice. 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. As we gather more evidence, we expect to file more charges against more individuals in the coming weeks. Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. Last year, the Board of Supervisors voted no confidence in Smith and demanded state and federal investigations into her office after several high-profile cases involving mentally ill inmates who suffered injuries, including one that resulted in the county paying a $10 million settlement. 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.. 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. 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.. 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. 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 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. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. 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. 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. "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. Valenzuela said Saratogas spike in residential burglaries is on his radar. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. Whether applicants received a permit depended on which group they belonged to. 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. I think its important to know the men and women who have this difficult job in difficult times are this much behind a candidate, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. I feel the right person for the job is not the smoothest talking person that sounded good. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September. Your email address will not be published. Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. 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. Capt. 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. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. 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. ALL RIGHT K J!!!!! 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. Ricardo Rich Urena has been tapped to replace Capt. "If she's doing something that's unfair and unjust, she owes it to this community to step down," said Moore. My resolutions are not something Im just sayingits something Ive been doing my entire career.. 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. Oakland police investigating spate of shootings that left one dead, five wounded California law requires candidates for county sheriff to have experience as certified law enforcement officers. County Sheriff's Captain, Prominent Lawyer Charged with Gun Permit Bribery Scheme. Long, who created a blog to document the CCW process in Santa Clara County, said he was unsurprised by the indictments. Sources close to the case tell the I-Team's Dan Noyes the removal stems from an unpermitted arbor and barbecue grill Le built at the jail with her own money, but using inmate labor. . 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. Saturday and Sunday through Closed. The investigation is active and ongoing," said Rosen. Comment Policy (updated 11/1/2021): We reserve the right to delete comments or ban users who engage in personal attacks, hate speech, excess profanity or make verifiably false statements. He says it's time for Sheriff Smith to speak out if she knows anything Related Articles Civil process includes restraining orders, bench warrants, arrest warrants, evictions and any other notice or order from the courts. 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. None of the PIOs who testified could recall an instance where they personally witnessed Smith signing an approved permit, according to the transcripts. Reggie Cooks said he couldn't disclose why that happened and offered the following official response: "In . 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. 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. "You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law.". "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations," Rosen said. Schumb is a prominent political backer of the Sheriff and served as Assistant Treasurer for the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee that supported Smith's election bid. She is now on paid . 5:45 p.m. Lake County sheriff declares a local emergency due to snow. 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. 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. 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. NIchols owns a company called The Gun Co., which manufactures firearms parts. Allen has been in the trenches for bit and dont think he is a good ol boy either. Here are the five candidates running for sheriff in alphabetical order. Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Captain James Jensen among 4 people indicted by grand jury yesterday according to DA Jeff Jensen @nbcbayarea. Election 2022 candidates for Santa Clara County Sheriff: retired Palo Alto police chief Bob Jonsen (left) and retired sheriff's captain Kevin Jensen. 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. When it comes to enforcing the law, which is to say enforcing the Constitution for the United States of America, the Sheriff, being the Chief Law Enforcement Officer, answers to We the People The County Sheriff is a Constitutional Officer elected by the People and bound by oath as guardian of the Peoples unalienable rights secured by the Constitution. A former manager for a security company who implicated a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and others in an alleged bribery scheme to trade political donations supporting the sheriff in exchange for concealed-carry weapons has testified in the civil corruption trial . 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. She also served in the offices operational standards and inspections unit and worked at both Elmwood and the main jail. Flood Advisory issued for Santa Clara Co. . She would combat this by setting up a retention program. Santa Clara County Sherif 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. Instead, it will be tossed in a filing cabinet and forgotten. We were all stuck at home for COVID, and we didnt have really any kind of property crime because everyone was home. Capt. 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. Five candidates are jockeying for Smiths seat. And if she feels that He also notedhes implemented community advisory groups in every command position hes held. The second half of the agreed-upon donation amount wasstymied by the DA investigation, authorities said. 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. 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. I would love to serve in that role.. 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. She has spent months fending off attacks from the Board of Supervisors, which voted no confidence in her leadership. "CCW licenses should not be given out in exchange for campaign donations. Like his opponents, Jensen said hes concerned about the lack of transparency in the office, which he blames on Smiths managerial style. 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 Palo Alto police are out-of-control and Palo Alto has lots of payouts to victims. 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. 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. Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. 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. 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.