SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — The mayor of San Jose is calling for the resignation of the Santa Clara County Sheriff.
Mayor Sam Liccardo spoke on the resignation call at 11:30 a.m. Monday.
Sheriff Laurie Smith has been in office for 23 years. The mayor cites concerns such as a criminal bribery investigation in which a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s captain was indicted last year.
“When a Grand Jury indicts the Sheriff’s top assistants and campaign fundraiser on bribery charges relating to contributions to her own re-election efforts, we should have serious concerns. But when that same Sheriff –the top law enforcement officer in the county–then refuses to cooperate with the bribery investigation for fear of incriminating herself, the time for concern is long past. Sheriff Smith must resign,” Liccardo said.
Also during her tenure, Liccardo in a press release points to cases of “repeated severe beatings of inmates resulting in death and serious injury.” Three Santa Clara County jail guards have been sentenced for the death of Michael Tyree, an inmate who died Aug. 26, 2015.
This story will be updated. The sheriff has yet to comment.