The former Santa Clara County sheriff is still eligible to receive her retirement benefits, despite being convicted of several felony-equivalent charges in a civil trial last month. Some local leaders say she doesn’t deserve it. Last month, a civil jury found Sheriff Laurie Smith guilty of six counts of corruption and willful misconduct for her part...
Santa Clara County official raises six figures to run for Congress—someday
It’s no secret Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian has long considered a congressional run. But just because he isn’t running right now doesn’t mean he isn’t preparing. Simitian has collected roughly $600,000 in donations through his congressional campaign committee, Friends of Simitian, over nearly 14 years. The committee currently has about $500,000 on hand after...
With one election over, San Jose politicos look to the next
It’s deja vu in San Jose politics. As elected leaders on Monday settled a political fight over filling two upcoming vacancies on the San Jose City Council, some former politicos are eyeing a return to their old posts. The council voted just before midnight to appoint successors to two soon-to-be-vacant seats in Districts 8 and 10....
UPDATE: Santa Clara County sheriff starts—one month early
Santa Clara County Sheriff-elect Bob Jonsen will assume his duties one month early after his embattled predecessor abruptly resigned in October. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Jonsen as sheriff before officially taking office in January. Jonsen will start on an interim basis Dec. 8—after the election is certified by the county...
UPDATE: San Jose council to appoint two members amid backlash
Cheers, boos, middle fingers and the banging of a gavel filled the San Jose City Council chambers on Monday night as officials decided how to fill two vacancies. After five hours of heated public comment from more than 500 people, councilmembers voted 7-4 late Monday to fill the vacancies through an appointment process by the...
San Jose residents stand with Chinese COVID protesters
Hundreds of San Jose residents and advocates are speaking out in support of changing government policies in China, but longlasting change still seems distant, residents said. More than 500 people gathered in front of San Jose City Hall last week, singing songs and sharing stories. The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with protesters...
Silicon Valley elite defend nonprofit CEO with dark past
As the civil case against former eBay executive and longtime San Jose political insider Steve Wymer drags on, some experts are raising concerns about a local nonprofit’s decision to hire him as CEO. One of Wymer’s most powerful political allies, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, is meanwhile defending him. Wymer is accused in an ongoing...
San Jose gets millions for homeless motels. Where are the rooms?
San Jose has received millions from the state to add hundreds of permanent and temporary homes in an attempt to alleviate homelessness across the city. But progress is slow with only 76 units available so far. As of December, San Jose has received roughly $74 million from a state program to acquire four local motels...
San Jose launches portal of police misconduct records
San Jose is hoping to make it easier for the public to unearth police misconduct records. The city launched a new web portal Friday where closed misconduct case information from the city’s independent police auditor can be viewed and downloaded. It does not include records from the police department such as body-worn camera footage or...
San Jose could require rideshare companies to report assaults
San Jose wants to require rideshare companies to report sexual assaults to law enforcement, but advocates say not so fast. Mayor Sam Liccardo, joined by officials of San Jose Police Department and Santa Clara County District Attorney, announced a proposal Thursday they said would help curb assaults and better support victims and survivors. The policy...