By Robert Haugh
The Jed York story isn’t going away.
Major newspapers and sports outlets across the country have published hundreds of stories and follow-ups about the San Francisco 49ers owner’s arrest in an Ohio prostitution sting.
And more details are emerging almost daily.
An incident report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle provides the most detailed account yet of how York allegedly spent two days trying to arrange a meeting with a woman he believed was a prostitute. But “the woman” was actually part of an undercover police operation.
According to the report, York used the name “Joe.”
Police had placed an undercover advertisement Aug. 22 on what they described as a “known prostitution” website.
York responded that day and asked about arranging a visit.
When he didn’t get a response, he tried again.
“Just checking in,” York reportedly wrote.
Still no response.
The next morning, York tried for a third time, asking whether the woman was available and saying he “would love to come and see her.”
This time, an undercover officer responded.
York said he was coming from Boardman, Ohio, south of Youngstown, and asked for an address so he could begin driving.
Then came the price negotiation.
According to the police report, York asked how much one hour would cost.
“Full service sexual activity” was quoted at $160, police said.
The undercover officer allegedly told York that unprotected sex would cost another $20.
York chose the $160 option, according to the report.
“York advised that the $160.00 worked for him, and he was on his way,” an officer wrote.
Police directed York to a fictitious lot number inside the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine.
York arrived in an Avis rental car and texted that he was there.
There was just one problem.
The lot didn’t exist.
After York was unable to find it, he backed out toward the main road, where marked police officers stopped him.
Court records say York was arrested at 9:35 a.m. Sunday.
Police found $160 in cash and seized York’s cellphone. Investigators said the phone had been used to arrange the meeting.
The cash was later forfeited to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. York’s phone was returned.
The Chronicle reported that more than 2½ pages of the 10-page police report were redacted, including the actual text-message exchange between York and the undercover officer.
York was released Sunday on $5,000 bail.
He appeared in court Monday and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges following an agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to time already served and ordered to pay $1,150 in fines.
The criminal case in Ohio may have been resolved quickly.
The public story surrounding it clearly has not.
Here’s a graph using Google Trends. Jed York was searched for more often than his team in the last two days since his arrest in the Bay Area:
This is a developing story.
News flash
DCcC donation by York under review
rk under review
Bad week for their lawyers and PR team. Jed York and his organization’s government relations team has spent millions of dollars causing harm in Santa Clara and destroying the public image of local leaders, manipulating voters into believing that the 49ers organization is improving community relations, and creating a fake narrative that the 49ers alone are stimulating the region’s economy. False, false, false. Wake up, Santa Clara. There are no clear receipts or metrics showcasing that their political PR stunts work. This scandal around Jed York is only the beginning of what more will be exposed at this organization.
Ellie Caple, Elijah Lefkow, and Emily Swide might have to start job searching and weasel their way into other roles, where they’ll again be responsible for damaging local cities like Santa Clara. Can’t have a successful political cycle burning through millions of dollars on races you’re guaranteed to lose when you have a scandal this egregious.
I worry about his kids. 10, and 13.
Given the facts, a man reportedly worth $50M to $500M, and low balls an encounter for $160 in a trailer park reveals so much about Jed. Mostly, his questionable judgment to make wise and beneficial decisions is wanting/lacking. Especially with his relationship with Santa Clara. Perhaps his “handlers,” who might be a covert cabal running the 9ers, weren’t with Jed on that fateful night. Jed ain’t running the 9ers as much as Joe Biden was running the White House.
A marriage is a private matter; but hope that his wife is doing OK with this global embarrassment.
I keep thinking, after he didn’t get a reply the 1st time, he could have let it go. “Wasn’t meant to be.” But he texted again. And then a 3rd time. Ain’t no entrapment there. 😀
My prediction: between the NFL’s review of the arrest fiasco and the need to make financial payments in the divorce proceedings, the team ownership will most likely change. Due diligence investigation by potential buyers of the team will no doubt require an in depth examination of the York family’s relationship with the City under existing agreements. A restructuring of the financial relationship between the City and new ownership would offer the opportunity to institute transparency and accountability for Santa Clara residents and a chance for a well-loved team to regain its standing in its hometown. Navigating this process will require a much more sophisticated and honest City representation than is currently in place.
Good summary of what might well happen. As I read your comments a thought crossed my mind and you summed it up in the last sentence. (In a nicer way than I would have put it.)