District Attorney John Sarsfield fired back at recall
proponents, blaming local defense lawyers along with their families
and friends for a campaign of
”
lies and harassment,
”
in a written response to an organized attempt for his
removal.
District Attorney John Sarsfield fired back at recall proponents, blaming local defense lawyers along with their families and friends for a campaign of “lies and harassment,” in a written response to an organized attempt for his removal.
“Do not be misled by the criminal defense lawyers who are trying to recall me,” Sarsfield wrote. “They do not care about public safety or crime victims.”
Local defense lawyers and recall proponents criticized Sarsfield’s response. Attorneys with whom he has publicly sparred say they have no involvement with the campaign. And members from the Committee to Recall John Sarsfield emphasized that they are spearheading the effort.
Sarsfield submitted the 194-word statement last week to the Elections Office – he has that option under state law governing recall campaigns – responding to 37 recall proponents’ own statement of reasons for his ouster.
Sarsfield wrote that he has improved the district attorney’s office during his 19-month tenure – rebutting claims he has mismanaged the office and misused political power. He wrote that his programs have aggressively prosecuted gangs, protected the environment, promoted consumer protection, stopped school truancy and curtailed drunken driving.
Each side’s argument will be part of a signature petition recall supporters plan to circulate among 26,000 registered voters in San Benito County. Once they file two copies of the petition with the Elections Office – which they plan to do by today – proponents would have 120 days to gather at least 5,201 signatures.
Recall proponent Bob Wilson did acknowledge they’ve consulted with defense attorneys, he said, “because those are the people that have the knowledge of the everyday workings.”
Wilson, a retired school teacher, said there are “a heck of a lot more people than defense lawyers” upset with Sarsfield’s performance.
One of those people is Hollister resident Eva Reyna, a local political gadfly. She’s friends with Julie Roybal, one of two women working under Sarsfield who filed a complaint alleging he’s having an inner-office affair that has created a hostile workplace.
“He hasn’t put a foot in the courthouse,” Reyna said Friday, referring to proponents’ concern that Sarsfield doesn’t personally prosecute cases. “Not even one time…. And he should because he’s paid big bucks to do that.”
The committee launched the effort July 14. But they had to start over after realizing five proponents’ addresses were invalid and there were too many words on the “notice of intention” for a recall. They re-filed it July 21. And Sarsfield filed his response within the seven days allowed under elections law.
Sarsfield didn’t return a phone call or respond to an e-mail Friday inquiring about his statement.
He opened the statement by blaming the attorneys for a smear campaign against him. And before closing it, Sarsfield called the recall a “desperate attempt to bring an end to tough law enforcement.”
Since his tenure began in January 2003, he has had a rocky relationship with several local defense lawyers, including his opponent in the 2002 district attorney race Arthur Cantu, public defender Greg LaForge and former District Attorney Harry Damkar.
All three have insisted they aren’t involved with the recall campaign. Cantu was out of town and couldn’t be reached to comment on Sarsfield’s statement.
“I don’t know why he’s so paranoid that all these criminal defense attorneys are against him,” LaForge said. “I am too busy doing my job in court every day to have the time to attack this guy.”
Damkar pointed out that Sarsfield has experienced turmoil within his office, including his subordinates alleging the inner-office affair.
“And none of that’s related to the defense bar that I’m aware of,” Damkar said.
