It’s been two weeks since San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres’ shocking text messages were exposed in legal documents.
The disturbing messages show the 43-year-old bragging about performing oral sex on a 17-year-old male on a college campus, describing the genitalia of an autistic 11-year-old boy and asking a Chicago man if he’s got “homies under 18” for a sexual encounter. Torres has since gone into hiding and dodged public meetings.
And yet Torres remains in office. His council colleagues waited nearly a week after the texts came out to call for his resignation — a day after San José Spotlight asked each elected official if he should go. Then they “excused” Torres’ absence from a council meeting, allowing him to keep his job while facing a criminal investigation and abdicating his responsibilities. Mayor Matt Mahan accused Torres of holding his council seat “hostage.”
The scandal is a black eye for the Bay Area’s largest city. It’s time for Torres to step down.
Torres’ defense is stunning. The downtown politician doesn’t deny he wrote the lewd text messages — but, his attorney claims, they are merely fantasies and role-play.
While Torres has not yet been charged or convicted of a crime, he’s admitted to fantasizing about sexual encounters with minors. That alone should be enough to spark outrage in the community — and yet the deafening silence among Silicon Valley’s elite circles is alarming. The Santa Clara County Democratic Party — which Torres has been deeply involved with — has given him a pass, despite condemning other politicos for their misconduct.
Besides Councilmember Bien Doan, no other politician has spoken out against allowing Torres to miss council meetings and remain in office. The lack of action by politicians is now putting City Hall workers in the line of fire — many of whom fear for their own safety due to public backlash about Torres and are uncomfortable being in the same building with someone who fantasizes about sex with children.
By allowing Torres to stay in office, San Jose leaders are setting an incredibly dangerous precedent. They’re setting a standard that will haunt the city’s reputation and question its integrity. How will it attract future business, if the ethics of those in office are viewed as questionable?
How will San Jose be perceived across the state and country, if it tolerates unethical and potentially criminal behavior? This is not business as usual.
Even if Torres did not act on his “fantasies,” the criminal investigation — and the damning evidence that’s been revealed — paint an appalling picture of his judgment, character and ability to be a leader in our community. It’s difficult to fathom that residents in District 3 would want such an individual to represent them.
The scandal began when Torres sent a Chicago man he met online nude photos and videos of himself while in a relationship. The man allegedly blackmailed Torres by threatening to release the images. Torres tried to make him go away by paying him $22,000 in hush money.
When Torres went to police to report the alleged extortion, authorities found all the other text messages. While the justice system will sort out what happens to Torres, San Jose cannot have a leader in power with such an astonishing lack of judgment. How can we trust Torres when he’s at community events with youth and minors?
As mothers, we know there is a line that cannot be crossed with children. We cannot tolerate politicians who have admitted to abhorrent fascinations with minors. We cannot hide behind political expediency.
Torres needs to resign — now. And if he won’t do so himself, it’s time for city leaders to step up and do what’s right.
Contact Ramona Giwargis at [email protected] or follow @RamonaGiwargis on X. Moryt Milo is an editor at San José Spotlight. Contact Moryt at [email protected] or follow her at @morytmilo on X. Catch up on her monthly editorials here.
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