About two years ago I wrote in this column that Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen never met a criminal he didn’t like. This has become the understatement of journalism. Now we know what he saves his fire power for: persecuting people who don’t have the money to fight back.
As though there are not enough real criminals to deal with, Rosen has made it his primary objective to make one out of Council Member Anthony Becker. Becker’s only crime was running against Mayor Lisa Gillmor in the November election. He almost won, being only 700 votes short of victory — 700 votes that arguably resulted from the convenient timing of a grand jury report that could be mistaken for Gillmor’s campaign literature.
Since that loss, his life has become a living hell! He has been accused of several violations, none of which have been proved, yet his personal life has become the favorite target of D.A. Rosen and his band of special agents.
Shortly after the election, and the public announcement by Rosen that Becker was a possible violator of the law, Becker’s world was turned upside down. In an unannounced December visit by Rosen’s agents, Becker’s home and car were ransacked, his phone and computer were seized and have not yet been returned. You might think that Becker was the Al Capone of Santa Clara. Not the case, he has been just a regular guy trying to do a good job for Santa Clara.
Then, as if Rosen’s agents had never been to his house before, they executed a second raid the day of Becker’s court appearance. Becker was handcuffed as agents once again turned his home upside down, seizing his and his husband’s devices and leaving his home in total disarray and Becker without a way to contact his lawyer.
These disgusting actions by the D.A. and his office of Gestapo-like agents are an example of agency power out of control. Where is the crime, Mr. Rosen? Where is the threat to Santa Clara and our residents? Are you doing a hit job on a good citizen as a favor to a political ally? It certainly appears to be the case. Becker has still not had his personal items returned including his phone and computer.
This is a case of absolute abuse, and I call for a thorough investigation of D.A. Jeff Rosen, his associates and office staff by State Attorney General Rob Bonta. This is a case that smacks of political retaliation, excessive force, violation of personal rights and abusive harassment.
