HOLLISTER – District Attorney John Sarsfield and Sheriff Curtis
Hill were named in a $1 million defamation claim against the City
of Hollister and San Benito County by private investigator Dennis
Stafford.
HOLLISTER – District Attorney John Sarsfield and Sheriff Curtis Hill were named in a $1 million defamation claim against the City of Hollister and San Benito County by private investigator Dennis Stafford.
The claims, filed last week, allege that Sarsfield, Hill and other local officials defamed Stafford1s character during a press conference on Sept. 10 at the Hollister Police Department and at the Sheriff’s Office.
Stafford alleges in the claim that Hill and Sarsfield released privileged and confidential information to the public without lawful authorization.
According to the claim, Sarsfield, Hill and other officials are intentionally attempting to defame and embarrass Stafford by retrying nearly 60 felony convictions dating back to 1984.
Stafford, who declined requests for comment, said in the written statement that he believes Sarsfield, Hill and others are part of a civil conspiracy to violate his constitutional and civil rights by denying him equal protection under the law.
The claims stem from Sarsfield’s allegations of possible misconduct by Stafford while he was still a peace officer. Stafford worked as an investigatyor in the district attorney’s office for about 10 years.
