Pro bono private attorneys play an important role in the work of Santa Clara County’s Public Defenders Office (PDO), says a new county civil grand jury report, “Volunteer Justice: The Power of Pro Bono Partnerships [in the] County of Santa Clara Public Defender’s Office (PDO).” The grand jury doesn’t report the origin of the investigation, … Read more
The judge overseeing the perjury trial of Santa Clara City Council Member Anthony Becker ruled on several motions on Oct. 9, giving the public a better idea of what evidence and arguments will be presented in court. Defense’s Motion to Dismiss Denied Judge Javier Alcala first heard a motion to dismiss at the South County … Read more
California has designed civil grand juries to hold city and county governments accountable. However, who holds the civil grand jury accountable is murkier. For several months, The Weekly has sought better insight into the Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury’s inner workings, specifically, the recusal process. The civil grand jury is transparent with its list of … Read more
Just as with the 2022 civil grand jury report lambasting the Santa Clara City Council majority, the most recent report’s timing also reeks of politicking. The report, titled “Irreconcilable Differences,” goes after the Council majority for a parade of misconduct. Criticisms include behavior up and down the spectrum, all of which are unsavory. Examples in the … Read more
Here we go again. A new grand jury report takes aim at Santa Clara City Council dysfunction. However, the tactics are strangely familiar to one released in 2022. That is to say, the conclusions have a political bend, one that stridently singles out the “49er Five,” a derisive label given to Council majority Raj Chahal, Suds … Read more
As expected, the City Council was divided over its response to the Civil Grand Jury report titled, “Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Santa Clara City Council.” The Civil Grand Jury required an official comment by Jan. 9, 2023. Interim City Attorney Steve Ngo said his office drafted the response with a compilation of comments made by council members … Read more