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. San Jos Spotlight is the citys first nonprofit, community-supported digital news organization. None of the PIOs who testified could recall an instance where they personally witnessed Smith signing an approved permit, according to the transcripts. SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) A retired captain for the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is joining the race to become the next sheriff, now the second opponent looking to unseat current. He wants to prioritize building morale in the office, which he said has been low for many years, and to rebuild relationships with the San Jose Police Departmenthe claims Smith neglected. Jensen said hes concerned about the large number of mentally ill inmates in the jail system, butbelieves those with violent offenses need to be incarcerated. Jonsen, who filed his papers to run in January, has received endorsements from former state Sen.Jim Bell, the Democratic Asian Pacific American Club and the Sunnyvale Democratic Club. There may have been policies or procedures broken with regard to that project, but there must be more to the story," said Retired Undersheriff and Chief of Correction, John Hirokawa who in the past oversaw the jails. If the Sheriff lacks a full understanding of the Constitution it would stand to reason that he is vulnerable to violation of his oath. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Attorney Harpaul Nahal, left, is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Nahal was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. "You don't even need to live in the county, which is required by law.". He plans to implement greater civilian oversight in the jail systeman outstanding concern among county officials. She also served in the offices operational standards and inspections unit and worked at both Elmwood and the main jail. Local News | 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.. Smiths office granted concealed gun permits to 22 of those 28 applicants, an approval rate of about 79%. Only 62 applicants received a permit, according to the records. "This investigation revealed the sad reality that at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office there are 2 policies for those seeking CCW licenses. The 16-page indictment, which you can read here , lays out each defendant's alleged role in the scheme to secure a massive campaign contribution for Smith in exchange for concealed gun permits. "It's very unusual for a captain to be walked off in that manner for a project that wasn't for personal gain, on jail property. He supports the Board of Supervisors decision to build a new 500-person jail, and he favors adding more mental health resources for inmates. He became captain in 2004 and retired in 2013. Law Enforcement. Local News | Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Jensen has picked up support from the main unions serving jail employees: the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association. Allen has received endorsements fromReverend Jeff Moore, former president of the Silicon Valley NAACP, and several retired sheriff employees. 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.. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges. A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy . Every captain thats worked on this side of town has made an impact with the community. 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.. As a detective he was assigned to the West Valley division, he was also one of our tactical flight observers up in our sheriffs helicopter, a field training officer and recruit training officer at the academy.. If convicted, all four defendants could face prison time. 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. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Sheriffs Capt. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Five candidates are jockeying for Smiths seat. Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. Jonsen said the county should offer more skill-based programs in the jails for inmates so they can find employment upon release. Instead, it will be tossed in a filing cabinet and forgotten. Your email address will not be published. The Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. In a lawsuit filed Nov. 13 in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Amy Le says the Sheriff's Office effectively forced her to resign in retaliation for alerting higher-ups about a female lieutenant's sexual harassment complaint against a high-ranking officer. 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. 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. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Essentially, just be out there for the community to ask us questions and get suggestions from the community about where the problems are, he added. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office issued the following comment to ABC7 News. As the I-Team reported last September, the man suffered brain damage and his parents are suing the county and the Sheriff's Department. In addition Robert Johnson has done his best to avoid transparency. He replaces Capt. Hannah Kanik is a Bay Area News Group reporter covering Santa Clara County's West Valley for The Mercury News, East Bay Times, The Los Gatos Weekly and The Saratoga News. The second installment was forestalled by the DA investigation. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. 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. Detectives pursue all cases to conclusion from reports generated by patrol deputies, except those cases dealing with homicide, sex, or narcotics, which are . An inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation -- which was reported in public filings -- spurred the DA to start an investigation shortly after the general election in 2018. "But then when it came time to renew, I was not allowed to renew and those reasons were never explained to me phone calls were not returned," explained Moore. This is your newsroom. "It's a sad day for the Sheriff's department," said retired Undersheriff John Hirokawa, who was defeated in a runoff by Sheriff Smith in the election that year and wonders what role the money played. "On August 7, 2020, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office publicly announced that Captain James Jensen has been formally charged with felony bribery, conspiracy and falsifying public documents by a Grand Jury.". As of January, he has raised $72,398. His command experience includes serving as the assistant director of the protective services department at Valley Medical Center, the assistant division commander of the investigations division and the division commander of the court security division. Office Hours. He also plans to improve the treatment for mentally ill inmatesand overall conditions in the jail system. This all took place in 2018, while Sheriff Laurie Smith, who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses, was in a race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections. Jensen has also received endorsements from retired county supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran and former sheriff Robert Winter. 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. A retired Santa Clara County sheriffs captain who ran for office in 2014 and lost, Kevin Jensen believes he has the momentum to take the seat. Christine Nagaye, Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen and sheriff Sgt. I would love to serve in that role.. 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. 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 . Harry Stern, Jensens attorney, reiterated that Jensen did not have the power to grant the concealed-gun permits. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A contender for the top law enforcement job in Santa Clara County has won a coveted endorsement. Jonsen said he has experience overseeing crime reduction from his time as a coordinator of the Antelope Valley crime fighting initiative run by the LA Sheriffs Department. Saying yes, but doing NO. 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. | All donations are tax-deductible. All Rights Reserved. A San Jose native, he graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in history and from the University of Maryland with a MA degree in journalism. We also levy on wages, bank accounts, vehicles or any asset of the judgment debtor. He got his start in the West Valley working as a patrol deputy and detective before he was assigned as the investigator for the county councils office. "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations," Rosen said. And were here to provide it. 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. 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. Jensen later instructed AS Solutions Inc. to have their executive protection agents falsify the names of their employer on their CCW applications, and for those agents living outside the county, to falsify their addresses as well, according to the indictment. Hes raised $72,398 through campaign donations and a loan. ALL RIGHT K J!!!!! SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain James Jensen is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Jensen was. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. 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. Stromgren recalled a conversation he had with Nielsen: I told him on a couple of occasions I didnt feel comfortable. As a lieutenant, Le was the first female president of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Peace Officers Association, and steered the union's endorsement to Sheriff Laurie Smith this past election. Colton is a latecomer to the race, having filed her nomination papers in March. The county has a similar program, but Jonsen wants to expand it to meet greater demand. public and her constituents and say what's going on. San Jos Spotlight is a project of the San Jos News Bureau, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization | Tax ID: 82-5355128. 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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. Kevin Jensen said Tuesday that it was "humbling" that two unions want him to run against Sheriff Laurie . Capt. "People have often said the only way to obtain a permit in Santa Clara County is to make a donation to the sheriff's office.". First published on August 7, 2020 / 11:34 AM. 5:45 p.m. Lake County sheriff declares a local emergency due to snow. 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. In 2017, she received $449,767.49 with overtime and benefits, on a $142,530.12 base salary. 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.. Character is hugeif you dont have the ability to make decisions for the right reasons, it wont work, Jensen said. He said its important to increase the offices transparency. Le has been one of the most well-paid Santa Clara County employees for years. 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. She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. BY EMILY MIBACH. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group;. To avoid the perception of impropriety, Jensen said he wont take any financial contributions from employees. Click hereif you are having trouble viewing the slideshow on a mobile device. Earlier this year, the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit analyzed five years' worth of data and found that donors to Smith's political campaigns were about 14 times more likely to get a concealed weapons permit than those who did not contribute. A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. 2007-03-13 12:18:00 PDT SAN JOSE -- Santa Clara County sheriff's investigators expect to go to prosecutors this week with their case against De Anza College baseball players suspected of having . Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates Kevin Jensen and Bob Jonsen. We have seen such words used when the City Council has voted. 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. 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. Moreover, he doesnt have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. Donors accounted for fewer than 4% of all CCW applicants over that time period, but constituted about 35% of those awarded permits, according to the records. To address the offices transparency, Nagaye said she would provide the Board of Supervisors and Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring with all materials that have been requested. "I know they used a lot of that money on social media, slamming me," he said. San Jos Spotlight was unable to find record of Colton serving in law enforcement. 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. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. As we gather more evidence, we expect to file more charges against more individuals in the coming weeks. Le reportedly wanted to create a break space for correctional staff. In an interview described in testimony from DA investigator Mike Montonye, Jensen said he received direction from Sung, the undersheriff, in brokering the illicit deal. 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. Jensen lost that election, but he believes the time is right for a new run and cites the support from the association. The division commander is Captain Rich Urena, who serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Los Altos Hills. 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 Le apparently ran into trouble when her superiors did not like her project, and when they learned she didn't have a building permit. Kevin Jensen, who announced his run for sheriff last September.The association's members voted overwhelmingly to support endorsing him. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time. Smiths tenure as sheriff has been marred by scandals and political investigations. 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. California law requires candidates for county sheriff to have experience as certified law enforcement officers. We know hes the best candidate to address these issues (in the office).. "And it's very clear that that's not the case under Sheriff Smith and her office. Nagaye, 51, has served in the Sheriffs Office for 20 years, with the last seven as a supervising sergeant. Get San Jos Spotlight headlines delivered to your inbox. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. How safe is your neighborhood? Election 2022 candidates for Santa Clara County Sheriff: retired Palo Alto police chief Bob Jonsen (left) and retired sheriff's captain Kevin Jensen. Rick Sung as commander of the patrol division. Nagaye opposes the creation of a new jail, although she does support the creation of a new mental health facility to better meet the needs of mentally ill inmates. As police chief in Palo Alto, Jonsen said hes helped the city implement a program that partners behavioral health workers with police officers to respond to psychiatric emergencies.