As he indicated two weeks ago, a local lawyer filed a complaint
with the state’s top law enforcement agency asking to investigate a
former district attorney’s office volunteer who witnesses claim has
impersonated a cop and flashed a gun in public.
Hollister – As he indicated two weeks ago, a local lawyer filed a complaint with the state’s top law enforcement agency asking to investigate a former district attorney’s office volunteer who witnesses claim has impersonated a cop and flashed a gun in public.
Former DA Harry Damkar sent the request for a criminal investigation to the attorney general’s office recently, the state office confirmed Friday.
“I can confirm that we received it, and that we are evaluating it,” said Nathan Barankin, spokesperson for the attorney general.
Damkar’s request also asks the attorney general to examine several other related issues, including whether District Attorney John Sarsfield wrongfully released confidential information to former volunteer William “Andy” Simpson about a minor involved in a molestation case.
Damkar asked for the attorney general’s intervention because he says the district attorney would have a conflict of interest if asked to investigate his former volunteer.
“That’s why you need a third party investigation to determine if there was any issue,” Damkar said.
Sarsfield denies any wrongdoing. He said he never released confidential information to Simpson.
“That is absolutely false,” Sarsfield said. “Mr. Damkar should be very, very careful about making unfounded accusations.”
The request stems from a molestation case against Corbett Legrand involving a client of Damkar’s – who is the stepfather of the girl alleging the crime.
The man says Simpson – then a volunteer in the DA’s office – approached him while investigating the case, according to a copy of the complaint given to the Free Lance. The man says Simpson flashed a badge and gun and said he was a deputy district attorney.
Sarsfield has said he was unaware if Simpson impersonated a peace officer, which is against the law.
Damkar’s also claiming the DA’s office retaliated against his client – for his complaints to the office about Simpson’s alleged behavior – by filing an annoying phone call charge against the man.
At a hearing Nov. 15, Damkar said he may file a motion in the annoying phone call case to also recuse Sarsfield’s office on that matter.
“Mr. Damkar reminds me of the ‘little boy who cried wolf,'” said Sarsfield, who added that Simpson has been in contact with an attorney over the matter.
Simpson left the office in August, the same week the Free Lance reported concerns from others – including police officers – that he had been showing up to routine traffic stops impersonating a cop.
Shortly before that, Sarsfield had asked the Board of Supervisors to hire Simpson as a part-time “special agent.” But county administrators informed Sarsfield that Simpson could not fill the investigative role because he’s not a sworn officer.
