A Santa Clara County Superior Court jury acquitted two men in the latest case stemming from the county Sheriff’s Department’s alleged bribery scandal over concealed gun permits. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on a third defendant.
Former Sheriff’s Capt. James Jensen and former security firm executive Thomas Moyer were found not guilty the afternoon of April 2, and a mistrial was declared for former undersheriff Rick Sung.
The District Attorney's Office indicated it will seek a new trial for Sung, and are to appear in court Friday, April 11, to set a new trial date.
A defendant in a related trial, Harpeet Chadha, is set to go trial in San Jose Superior Court on May 5.
The trial of the three men began March 6 in San Jose.
Jensen was convicted on related charges last July and sentenced in December to 10 months in jail in connection with a corruption scandal over the issuing of concealed-gun licenses that ultimately resulted in the resignation of former Sheriff Laurie Smith.
Prosecutors had characterized the scandal as a years-long pay-to-play scheme in which the sheriff’s office, under Smith, allegedly traded concealed-carry weapon permits for political donations, favors and other in-kind support.
After today’s verdict was announced, District Attorney Jeff Rosen issued this statement: “We respect the jury’s determination. We remain proud of our office’s investigation because it resulted in several related convictions as well as improvements at the Sheriff’s Office and in how concealed firearms permits are handled. We remain committed to rooting out this type of corruption wherever it may lie.”
Yet no charges against the leader…Sheriff Smith. That just reinforces the public’s perception that there are two systems of justice and breads contempt for the law. Not even a comment as to why Sheriff Smith was not charged….Testimony repeatedly stated that this entire operation was done at Sheriff Smith’s direction….