Community Corner
Embattled Santa Clara Co. Sheriff Calls It Quits
Undersheriff Ken Binder will take over as acting sheriff.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA –Embattled Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith announced Monday she would retire, as a jury deliberates a verdict in a civil corruption trial involving jail mismanagement and a "pay-to-play" scheme involving gun permits issued by her office.
Undersheriff Ken Binder will take over as acting sheriff, Smith's office said in a brief release.
Misconduct allegations against Smith by a Santa Clara County civil grand jury include doling out concealed carry licenses to campaign donors, and of accepting San Jose Sharks tickets and not reporting them as gifts.
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Sheriff Laurie Smith has announced her retirement effective 10/31/22. Undersheriff Ken Binder is the Acting Sheriff until a new Sheriff is elected or appointed by the Board of Supervisors. We remain committed to our mission to provide the highest level of public safety & service. pic.twitter.com/zxW3MYCgc0
— SantaClaraCoSheriff (@SCCoSheriff) October 31, 2022
Smith, whose civil trial began in September, has denied the claims. A guilty verdict on any of the charges results in removal from office and a ban on running for public office.
Smith started with the sheriff's office in 1973 and has been sheriff for the last 24 years.
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Earlier this year, Smith announced she wouldn't run for reelection and would retire at the end of her term in January.
In a letter to the community in March, she called criticism of her tenure as "specious attempts by unsavory political opponents in retribution for serving the public with honor."
San José Mayor Sam Liccardo issued a statement saying Smith should have resigned long ago.
"More than a year ago, I publicly called for Sheriff Laurie Smith to resign, and she has belatedly heeded that call,” Liccardo said.
“It remains for the County to rebuild a troubled department and to better address many long-neglected issues, particularly regarding jail oversight. The City of San José stands ready to help."
Ryan Elder, who serves as president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, acknowledged the case against Smith has “tarnished” the Sheriff’s Office, The Mercury News reports.
“We acknowledge her decades of service, and we certainly hope new leadership will restore some of the confidence in our department that has been tarnished throughout this sordid episode,” Elder told the news outlet.
— Bay City News contributed to this report
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