Sheriff and undersheriff plead the Fifth, supervisor blames bad memory in Santa Clara County gun-per

[PeteS in CA]

Sheriff and undersheriff plead the Fifth, supervisor blames bad memory in Santa Clara County gun-permit probe

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/08/28/sheriff-and-undersheriff-plead-the-fifth-supervisor-blames-bad-memory-in-santa-clara-county-gun-permit-probe/

During a Santa Clara County criminal grand jury probe into alleged pay-to-play corruption in the issuing of concealed gun permits earlier this month, Sheriff Laurie Smith and Undersheriff Rick Sung both invoked their right against self-incrimination, and Supervisor Mike Wasserman repeatedly claimed that his bad memory prevented him from remembering whether he knew he was getting an illegal favor with a permit renewal, sources have confirmed.

The revelations are contained in grand jury transcripts, excerpts of which were first published in San Jose Inside and the Morgan Hill Times and subsequently corroborated to this news organization by multiple law-enforcement sources, regarding proceedings that took place in late July and the first week of August. The transcripts become officially public Monday, the day that the five defendants charged in the corruption case, including a sheriff’s captain, are scheduled to be arraigned.

@skeeter

Laurie Smith is not charged, currently, but pleading the 5th? Not a good look. And there's more ...

[PeteS in CA]

Sheriff Campaign Scandal: Defendant Pleads Guilty, Cooperates With Prosecutors

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/sheriff-campaign-scandal-defendant-pleads-guilty-cooperates-with-prosecutors/2355380/

One of the defendants in the bribery case against a commander and volunteers for the political campaign of Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith plead guilty Monday and is cooperating with the prosecution.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen, who called the move a significant development in the alleged bribery scheme, said more arrests are imminent.
...
According to grand jury transcripts, Christian West testified that he was looking for concealed carry permits for his company, and met with Jensen and private attorney Harpaul Nahal.

West is the CEO of private security firm AS Solutions.

"I think he said that with the number of CCWs that we were hoping to get, $90,000 would be a reasonable donation," West said according to grand jury transcripts.
...
Smith is not facing charges at this point.

IIRC, Laurie Smith won't be up for reelection for a couple of years.

[skeeter]

Sheriff and undersheriff plead the Fifth, supervisor blames bad memory in Santa Clara County gun-permit probe

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/08/28/sheriff-and-undersheriff-plead-the-fifth-supervisor-blames-bad-memory-in-santa-clara-county-gun-permit-probe/

@skeeter

Laurie Smith is not charged, currently, but pleading the 5th? Not a good look. And there's more ...

wow. Hadn’t heard about this. I knew Wasserman before he entered politics. Looks like he’s settled right in to reaping the fruits of being a public official.