HOLLISTER
– Allegations of voter fraud. Of a sexual affair compromising
the district attorney’s objectivity. Of extortion. Of supervisors
trying to steal an election.
HOLLISTER – Allegations of voter fraud. Of a sexual affair compromising the district attorney’s objectivity. Of extortion. Of supervisors trying to steal an election.
Many San Benito County residents are awestruck, embarrassed and outraged over the whirlwind of accusations involving the contested District 5 supervisor’s race. And they’re confused over swerving daily developments.
A criminal grand jury probe of fraud allegations is scheduled one day and canceled the next – twice. And still, there’s an unsettled Board of Supervisors seat more than two months after March election.
‘‘It’s like a game, and they’re putting Hollister through the wringer,’’ said Rose Ortiz, owner of The Rose Hair Salon in downtown Hollister.
The array of accusations has snowballed since Jaime De La Cruz unseated incumbent Bob Cruz on March 8 for the District 5 seat. Last week, the De La Cruz camp’s recent skepticism of District Attorney John Sarsfield’s fairness led to the most staggering accusation. They claimed in court documents the prosecutor was having an office affair that further compromised his objectivity.
The alleged mistress is related to a leader of LULAC, the organization that started many of the accusations against De La Cruz, whose lawyer Mike Pekin gave Sarsfield the option: drop the criminal grand jury probe or he would file a motion containing the embarrassing claim.
Sarsfield agreed. Then he reversed course on the deal. De La Cruz’s campaign adviser Ignacio Velazquez then filed the motion with the claim.
And Sarsfield sent the probe to the state anyway because the affair allegation created its own conflict.
‘‘I just think it’s a sorry state of affairs for our county when the DA can be blackmailed into dropping an investigation, or even consider dropping it,’’ said resident Barbara Brookshire. ‘‘I also think it’s a sad state of affairs when the defending attorney resorts to this sort of action.’’
Outside the San Benito Countylibrary, resident Ruth Erickson chuckled when asked about the election scandal. Erickson, who often voices her opinion at Hollister City Council meetings, said local politicians need to get more professional.
‘‘To me, this is making the county look like a school yard fight,’’ Erickson said.
Councilman Robert Scattini acknowledged that the District 5 mess has rubbed off on the entire political scene.
‘‘Why waste all that energy, money and time on stuff like this?’’ Scattini said. ‘‘It’s just ludicrous.’’
