By Debbie Tryforos
Burt Field is right when he wrote that the upcoming Anthony Becker trial is a critical case for Santa Clara.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Deputy District Attorney Jason Malinsky, and Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Peterson can help clean up our city or let the corruption continue to grow.
Becker is accused of leaking a Grand Jury report and lying about it. The evidence seems solid and includes the testimony of one of Becker’s so-called allies, Suds Jain, testifying against him.
Of course, Becker deserves his day in court and a fair trial.
But Becker is certainly not acting like an innocent person despite the stories written about him in the 49er-friendly publications San Jose Spotlight and the Silicon Valley Voice.
Becker’s decision to waive his right to a speedy trial raises eyebrows. Is this a tactical move to delay proceedings and continue cashing his taxpayer-funded paycheck? Or is it an admission of guilt?
Furthermore, Becker’s reluctance to turn over potential evidence on his computer or cell phone begs the question: What is he hiding? Is he trying to shield his own actions, those of his City Council colleagues, or perhaps even the 49ers?
But Becker didn’t just stop at leaking the report. He lied about it and tried to pin the blame on Mayor Lisa Gillmor by getting one of his campaign volunteers to lie about it, too.
That’s right, he deceived the public, potentially perjured himself, and tried to get someone else to commit a crime, too.
What does that tell us about Becker and his integrity?
Becker’s alleged actions caused more harm. They led to harassment of the Grand Jury. These are the people who volunteer their time to make our community a better place.
But Becker and his accomplices tried to intimidate the Grand Jury to cover their own tracks. That’s unheard of and to fail to punish the perpetrators sets a dangerous precedent for Santa Clara County and our justice system.
There’s another factor that may not be on trial but maybe should be. Becker has a history of abusive behavior. It’s a recurring pattern that raises serious questions about his suitability for public office.
What this trial offers is an opportunity to expose any corruption lurking in the shadows of Santa Clara City Hall, something people have been whispering about for far too long. And if Becker is indeed found guilty, he could become the poster child for holding corrupt politicians accountable.
[…] In major breaking news, 49ers Owner Jed York has announced that he will serve as co-counsel for Santa Cara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s upcoming perjury trial. […]
What is disturbing is watching these so-called leaders at the priority meeting on Monday. I sat in awe as they talked and walked around like they are above the law. What’s the song, can’t touch this? Like Tryforos says she hopes the DA and other officials will not cut any slack and do the right thing. Send a msg to the 49er 5 and anyone else who thinks they are above reproach.
Good timing on the op-ed. Especially after the SJFlashlight’s attempt to influence the court of public opinion with the latest attempt by the 49ers to “settle” outstanding lawsuits by April 19. Which is 3 days before the aforementioned Becker trial. Coincidence? Ha! This statement by the naïve CM, “The 49ers decision to issue a ‘best and final offer’ appears to be an effort to accelerate resolution of the issues” is golden. Does he really believe his statement? The 49ers need the 49er 5 votes for one last hurrah because they could lose Becker!
Finally, this jewel, “Grogan declined to comment on the proposal’s specifics, including whether it would generate $18 million for the city.” Of course he can’t because the money is no doubt the oh what is fancy schmancy term used by the 49ers? Legal contingency fund!! Isn’t that how much of the City’s OWN money is in that fund?
So Flashlight instead of writing fake news for your bosses, the 49ers, just tell the truth. Stop using your site to attack Lisa Gillmor to stay in good graces with Jed York. Tell the truth. Just like Robert Haugh and The SFChron.
Thanks!
Eddie Souza, sc 3rd mayor, council member in the 1970s, was a legendary advocate for the working class. He was a great progressive and Vietnam vet. Souza was agressive and pushy, but he was honest. Becker talked, Souza did the walk.
The wealthy think Becker is their version of Souza.
Ms. Tryforos has written an excellent argument that everyone involved in the criminal justice system should read. Thank you.
Becker deserves his day in court. But he also deserves to be punished for his crimes and for the cost of delaying his trial while he collected a paycheck.
Becker has played the system and if he gets away with a slap on the wrist, the DA’s office and the Superior Court will have failed us and sent a strong message that you can get away with criminal behavior — and maybe a powerful NFL team had something to do with it behind the scenes.
If found guilty, don’t just give Becker an ankle monitor and have him pick up highway trash on the weekends. That would be a failure of justice and send the wrong message on political corruption. If Becker isn’t punished to the full extent of the law, it will send a strong signal that political corruption and attacking the Grand Jury is okay.
And to think Beck was just a few votes away from being mayor.
Becker now can right some wrongs when he goes on trial. Perhaps other dominoes will fall within both the 49ers and the other 49er 5 once the trial begins or a plea bargain is reached with Becker. I hope part of the delay is giving Becker’s public defender the time to use their own investigators to uncover more graft and corruption from all the players. The big fish used Becker to do their dirty work and they deserve punishment too.
Mr. Haugh is close. We have never gotten along, but as Mr. Vartan, the case can be solved by Haugh.
2018 Becker groomed.
He was selected as the new Eddie Souza. I knew Eddie, Eddie was a friend. But Becker is NO EDDIE.
Vartan, Field, Haugh have it right. LG IS THE TARGET.
2022. Becker was there. Lg was cornered.
Then the grand jury report was a wild card.
Becker slipped. So did Chandhok.
In their revenge, they blew it.
As an ignorant Santa Claran on matters with a Eddie Souza, I ask to please clarify what is meant by “[Becker being] selected as the new Eddie Souza”
It’s likely relating to the 49ers. Just asking for clarification.
Seems like Eddie was a good guy. But like I said–I dunno.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/07/18/former-santa-clara-mayor-eddie-souza-dies/
Becker is nothing more than a wannabe member of the Political Class who had high hopes of tapping into the money stream.
First, he is a carpetbagger pure and simple who deliberately moved into my district because there was an empty seat
Second, from the start of questions about his behavior, he played the VictimCard blaming critics as homophobic.
Third, he has NO track record of any accomplishments on his own other than being on the planning commission with his buddy Suds Jain, who threw him under the bus.
Becker is exactly the type of individual that we need to keep OUT of politics. He was there for himself and no one else.
Becker is the most corrupt politician in city history.
Jim Arno made a mistake in hiding Mission Trails phone banks but he admitted it. Becker is a stupid bully. He has done NOTHING in office.He ignored Jamie McLeod”s historic win.
Becker would not only sell his soul. He would send it C.O.D