By Robert Haugh
The 49ers have put another $980,000 into this year’s Santa Clara elections, but a new San Francisco Chronicle report focuses on a potentially bigger political problem for the team: owner Jed York’s recent prostitution arrest.
York’s criminal activity raises questions about his judgment in trying to help choose Santa Clara’s next leaders.
And the candidate receiving the biggest boost from the 49ers is mayoral candidate Gary Ferraris. But he isn’t talking.
Chronicle reporters Lance Williams and Ron Kroichick reported Tuesday that Ferraris “did not respond to repeated requests for comment.”
There’s no mention in the article if they reached out to Kimberley Williams, a City Council candidate benefiting from York’s money
That silence comes as York and the 49ers are facing some of the toughest public criticism yet over their involvement in Santa Clara politics.
Outgoing Mayor Lisa Gillmor unloaded on York in an interview with the Chronicle.
“I have been thinking about Jed York and his irresponsible choices lately — the fact he was arrested soliciting a prostitute in Ohio, and he’s telling us who belongs on the Santa Clara City Council,” Gillmor said.
Gillmor went further.
“They’re treating our city like it’s their franchise,” she told the Chronicle. “They’re buying our roster, buying our council, and it’s wrong.”
Gillmor also brought up Anthony Becker, the former councilmember the 49ers spent heavily to elect mayor in 2022.
Becker lost that race and was later convicted of felony perjury for lying under oath about leaking a confidential Civil Grand Jury report to former 49ers executive Rahul Chandhok.
“Ask Jed how his last hand-picked council member worked out: Anthony Becker, convicted felon,” Gillmor told the Chronicle. “That’s his idea of leadership.”
The Chronicle also interviewed retired Santa Clara University ethicist Tom Shanks, founder of Public Trust Now.
Shanks directly connected York’s personal conduct to his political role in Santa Clara.
“Mr. York is not a spectator in this election, he is its largest participant,” Shanks told the Chronicle. “When one man spends a million dollars to choose a city’s leaders, his judgment is a fair question for the people whose leaders he is choosing.”
Even mayoral candidate and Councilmember Karen Hardy, who previously benefited from substantial 49ers political spending, took a shot at the team after it decided to back Ferraris instead of her.
“They sent their minions out, and they said they decided to support someone else,” Hardy told the Chronicle.
Former City Attorney Brian Doyle, who has long accused the 49ers of orchestrating his firing, said York’s problems could become even more significant if the NFL takes disciplinary action before Election Day.
“If the NFL slams Jed before the election, that could really hurt them,” Doyle told the Chronicle, referring to candidates supported by the team.
The NFL has said it is reviewing York’s conduct under its personal conduct policy.
After reading this article and accessing the original San Francisco Chronicle article, as a woman, I can’t understand that someone, Kimberly Williams, who is a self proclaimed advocate for schools, and the President of our Schools Foundation, could accept support from Jed York, a day after York pleaded guilty to these charges.
What a shameful example to our community, our students, and especially the women in Santa Clara. She should immediately step down from the schools foundation, denounce this dirty money, and apologize to the community, especially us females. With her as a city council member, women will take a huge leap backward in time.
Gary Ferraris is already showing a cowardly streak by hiding from the press that is asking legitimate questions about his candidacy. You want to be a mayor Gary, but part of that responsibility is addressing the public about your views and actions. So it looks like Jed picked another “winner” like Anthony Becker. Gary, come out of hiding and answer to the public why you agreed to have trailer park Jed bankroll your campaign. We’re waiting……
I just have to say this. 🙂 To me, the ultimate punishment might not be anything the NFL or public perception does to Jed, but it’s the fact that he couldn’t go to Australia to see the 49ers play. 😀 Come on … I can imagine he was quite looking forward to this trip ever since it was scheduled. But he couldn’t go. And … because it would have been on the team, it would have been FREE. And now we know how gosh darn cheap he is now too … 🤣🤣🤣
There is a wise saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It just took awhile for it to surface…
Why would a billionaire like York fall for a $100 hooker near a trailer park?
Why would York fall for a political hooker like Becker?
A street hustler outside the 16th and Mission Bart station has more moral character than Becker., a political tramp of no conscience or spul.
The ferret won’t talk? Gees! He showed up to tell Deanna Santana off! Cat got your tounge, Gary?
Kind of strange… the last sentence here.
What does the NFL have to review?
He was caught by the Ohio Police “Red Handed” (Can I say that?) while looking to engage in an Illegal Sexual activity.
Once his options were explained to him, he pleaded guilty to avoid the embarrassment of the Public Court Case.
Can you imagine Jed York in Prison? Think of all the close friends Jed York would have.
The term “Full Dance Card” comes to mind.
If he is not removed by the NFL, what actually does the NFL Personal Conduct Policy relate too?
In reality, it does not get any closer to Personal Conduct than this.
Just The Facts Ma’am
I doubt Ferraris will say anything about this. I’m sure he’s been told to go sit in the corner and be quiet. Jed will take care of everything.
Once again, if Jed York is supporting a candidate, they are the WRONG choice for Santa Clara. There are far better candidates to choose from.