JACKSON, Calif. (AP) – A judge has reduced a Northern California mayor’s felony eavesdropping charge to a misdemeanor in connection with a strip poker party at a youth camp he runs.
Court records show Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva now charged with four misdemeanor counts after the ruling Tuesday. Silva is charged with secretly recording portions of a teen counselor strip poker game and providing alcohol to minors.
Silva denies the charges, arguing that he accidentally recorded the game after walking into the middle of it and that all participants were at least 18 years old. He also denies giving alcoholic drinks to anyone younger than 21 during the annual weeklong camp for underprivileged children.
Silva says the charges are politically motivated. He faces re-election in November.
Stockton is 50 miles south of Sacramento.