By Burt Field

Indicted 49er Councilmember Anthony Becker starts his trial in less than a month. 

Finally, District Attorney Jeff Rosen can try a critical case that has major implications for Santa Clara and our local justice system.

When it comes to local corruption, it’s better late than never.

Becker is the Bay Area’s most infamous “Sock Puppet,” someone who is the front person for a special interest. He allegedly leaked a Grand Jury report in 2022, almost a year and a half ago.

That act was a breach of public trust.  Let me repeat that.  That act was a breach of public trust.  Just that one act undermines the very foundations of our legal system.

But that’s not all he did.

Becker also handed it over to the 49ers, as one of their top executives, Rahul Chandhok admitted when he testified against Becker. 

Is our City better or worse since the 49ers decided to support this one person, along with four teammates of his? 

Without the 49ers’ massive political expenditures, just try to imagine how better off Santa Clara would be – a world where no one has to worry about what Becker is doing.       

Becker and his 49er Five colleagues have cost Santa Clara way more than the tens of millions of dollars already given away to their employer.  They have cost many people, a valuable resource – our time.  We’ve all spent a lot of time trying to clean up our City. 

And let’s not discount trust in our Government as well. Santa Clara City government ruled by the 49er Five is an embarrassment. Our faith in the City Council majority and City staff is at an all-time low. 

It’s not like Santa Clara needs a new International Swim Center or more library hours.  

So how much more are we going to take?  How bad does it have to get before we take our City back?    

Let’s hope the Becker trial is the beginning of cleaning up Santa Clara, not the continuation of the corruption.