By Robert Haugh
Indicted Santa Clara City Councilmember Anthony Becker’s trial starts in just four days but Becker looks like he wants to avoid being in front of a jury or possibly behind bars.
Becker faces a misdemeanor charge for leaking the 2022 Civil Grand Jury report to the 49ers.
The report concluded that the 49er Five regularly side with the team over Santa Clara residents even when that costs the Mission City millions of dollars.
Becker also allegedly lied to the Grand Jury about leaking the report. That’s a felony perjury charge that could land him in prison for up to four years.
According to multiple sources, Becker is trying to get his felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor to stay out of prison.
But Deputy District Attorney Jason Malinsky has rejected the offer and believes the prosecution has an extremely strong felony perjury case against Becker.
Former 49er executive Rahul Chandhok is testifying against Becker. Chandhok received immunity for his testimony and will likely provide the strongest evidence against Becker.
The prosecution has other potentially strong witnesses.
Santa Clara City Councilmember Suds Jain told the Grand Jury that he knew for months that Becker had given the Grand Jury report to Silicon Valley Voice reporter Carolyn Schuk.
Jain did not disclose this information about lawbreaking until he was forced to do so when under oath in front of the Grand Jury.
One of Becker’s campaign volunteers is also testifying against him.
David Andre told the Grand Jury that Becker told him to cover up Becker’s illegal actions by testifying falsely that Mayor Lisa Gillmor did it. But Andre told the truth.
Becker’s defense has successfully delayed the trial and used up a lot of court time and resources. Becker was indicted in April 2023 – 16 months ago. Becker waived his right to a speedy trial.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen had harsh words for Becker when he announced the indictment.
“When you leak a confidential report to the target of that report, you’re taking sides against Santa Clara County,” Rosen said in April 2023.
“When you do both of those things leak and lie as an elected official who’s sworn to protect and defend the interest of your constituents before and above your private interests, you have violated everyone’s trust and broken the law.”
Rosen also called out the 49ers and Chandhok who personally attacked grand jury members.
“The 49ers’ smearing of individual grand jurors was wrong and shameful,” Rosen said. “The 49ers should apologize.”
Since Rosen made those statements, it’s been 16 months and the 49ers have not apologized. Instead, the focus of all the wrongdoing has been entirely on Becker.
Becker resisted numerous public calls for his resignation since April 2023. To many residents’ surprise, Becker has filed for re-election and will be on the November 2024 ballot.
Since his indictment, Becker has voted on major 49er issues including voting for legal settlements that favored the team and could have cost Santa Clara millions of dollars, according to a San Francisco Chronicle analysis.
Becker has strongly criticized two 2024 Grand Jury reports. He and his 49er Five colleagues have attacked the Grand Jury for being biased and possibly engaging in a conspiracy.
One of the reports called out Becker and his 49er Five colleagues for their “abusive and belittling behavior.”
Becker was specifically criticized for airing “petty grievances and engage in squabbles with other elected officials and constituents from the dais.”
He was found to violate “established parliamentary and meeting procedures.”
The Grand Jury concluded that Becker “engaged in unethical behavior on the dais by insulting, humiliating, and intimidating constituents and volunteers.”
Becker has received over $32,000 in salary for his part-time work on the Council since his indictment.
Restitution for all his delays would be appropriate!
Suds, could you please reimburse us taxpayers the $600,000 you cost us from your failed special election vote, the one that was doomed for failure?
I see cars driving 60+ mph on Pruneridge and Pomeroy all the time. That $600,000 you cost us sure could have paid for lots of traffic enforcement.
Why did you sit on the information that Becker had leaked the Grand Jury report and instead hid this fact? You had a duty and oath to report this as soon as you discovered this. Of course, you will never answer but you will have to when you testify against Becker.
So far, three great, intelligent and well thought out responses.
Now mine,
I will for sure lower this bar.
Please understand I’m just a “Un Schooled” Fool, at least according to what I’ve read written about me by some of the other 49er Shills, Sock Puppets, Cheerleaders.
I just want our City to be run again by people who actually represent us.
I’m just tired of having to listen to all these “Whinny” voices trying to tell us what is best for us?
Think Santa Clara Charter Review Chair Jeff Houston, and John McLemore’s wife…
In their great collective wisdom we got to spend $600k just to find out again what Santa Clara residents have never asked to give back.
Measure’s A and B were “Landslide”Victories for the residents. 72.38% voted to keep the elected Chief of Police.
67.61% voted to keep the elected City Clerk.
Hum…wonder if that $600K could have been better spent somewhere in our City?
Beaker, you did the crime, now do the time.
From what I can gather, the Jail Cell actually might be an upgrade for you.
No Rent
Padded mattress
3 Meals a day
Lots of new friends to impress and hang out with.
So please go away.
And no I’m not upset because you removed me as a Volunteer Parks and Recreation Commissioner, for…..wait, I think we are still looking for that reason. Oh yeah, it was the really rare reason, so rare no one could ever find it.
Just more embarrassment for you.
Love the video and the laughter the audience has when you shake your head over and over, given you could not say why you were doing what you were doing.
In reality that just says so much without you even saying a word.
Better Days are ahead.
Register to vote
Then vote what you think is best for our City, not one NFL Franchise, sadly we have seen firsthand what they think of us.
Burt Field
I love how Suds will be a key witness against Becker. They are turning on their own and I would not be surprised to see Becker do the same to the 49ers after he’s found guilty.
When the light shines – the roaches run
Ted,
Suds testifying is not turning against Becker. It is a result of his willingness to comply with a subpoena and tell the truth when testifying under oath.
Suds is trying to keep his sorry butt out of jail, that is the only reason for his testimony. It’s not like he brought the information forward on his own. If convicted of perjury, Suds knows his life would be impacted dramatically.
Suds is no hero, he is just covering his own butt!.
I am not saying that Suds is a hero. I am saying that he is not turning against Becker. He is complying with the law.
Buchser – He was only “willing” to comply after being forced to comply with a subpoena. Up until that time, he chose to hide what he knew happened. Rather than be open and forthright to the public about what he, a sitting elected official, knew about the situation, he decided to hide in the dark.
Call it turning, changing your mind, forced to come clean, or confessing – all the same – he know what happened and refused to disclose it until the threat of the law forced it out of him. Just like that Rahul fool – he is saving his skin by turning on others.
Ted,
Yes like I said I merely stated that he is complying with a subpoena which all but explicitly is stating that his testimony was compelled by law. As opposed to “turning against” Becker as you stated.
By this I did not claim he is a hero or testifying out of a sense of community service or anything altruistic or laudable.
I’d be curious what ya’ll would think: maybe he could do a deal with the prosecution. They reduce the charges, if he immediately resigns his city council position, and then is banned from ever again serving in any capacity whatsoever within the city government. Employee, council, mayor, etc. Nothing, ever again. ??
Rosen is not stupid. If Becker gets convicted he loses his council seat. he won’t have a chance if he runs for anything. So Becker has nothing to give the prosecution. since he delayed and made the prosecution work lots of hours, there’s no way they don’t seek jail time. Becker should have pleaded 16 months ago. Dumb legal move on his part to fight a losing battle so long. Rosen has to get prison time to send a message. Or everyone will leak and lie and know they just get misdemeanors. Rosen’s statements at indictment were strong. He can’t be wimpy now. 6 months in prison has to be the minimum
Becker is costing the citizens $100’s of thousands in tax dollars as he continues to attempt to dodge prosecution and accountability for his actions.
His supporters claim he has the same rights the legal system as any other person.
Nonsense, as an individual who wants power over others as an elected “official” he needs to be held to a higher standard of accountability.
Start the trial and let’s get this phase done.
Then we can go after Suds Jain who knew about the crime and FAILED to report it which makes him an accessory after the fact and possibly a conspirator. Suds is another member of the political class who sold the voters out to the 49rs.
How about this – 16 months in prison. I month for every month since his indictment that he took money from Santa Clara. Seems like a fair trade