If anything, the recent exchange between District Attorney John
Sarsfield and lawyer Michael Pekin only proves how desperately San
Benito County needs fresh blood in the district attorney’s
office.
If anything, the recent exchange between District Attorney John Sarsfield and lawyer Michael Pekin only proves how desperately San Benito County needs fresh blood in the district attorney’s office.
Embroiled in a string of back-and-forth lawsuits, Sarsfield called the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department about two weeks ago when Pekin appeared at the district attorney’s office to pick up a copy of some court documents mistakenly left behind. Rather than simply return the extra copy to Pekin, Sarsfield refused and when Pekin became agitated Sarsfield called the police and said he was contemplating seeking a restraining order “to protect his employees.” Of course, the expected “he said, he said” followed suit. Sarsfield claimed Pekin was banging on the doors and windows of his office so viciously the walls were shaking and Pekin claimed he was merely rapping on the door. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
This latest ruckus is another ridiculous chapter in the long saga of personal battles hampering Sarsfield’s performance in his duties. Both Pekin and Sarsfield are losing their credibility as the ongoing Los Valientes corruption suit turns from courtroom litigation to tit-for-tat sniping in other arenas. The worst part of it is that Sarsfield is being distracted from being an impartial and unbiased arm of justice in San Benito County while occupying an honorable position.
The district attorney must hold himself above the petty bickering. But with each new mini-controversy, Sarsfield’s office loses more credibility as an agent of justice. In regards to Sarsfield’s and Pekin’s confrontations, professionalism has long since departed from both lawyers as they continue to lob stones from their glass houses.
Granted Pekin is no choir boy when it comes to his behavior, but the flamboyant defense attorney does not represent the people who elected him like Sarsfield does. Though Pekin’s actions should embarrass him, Sarsfield’s behavior embarrasses the entire county.
For local residents to regain their faith in the district attorney’s office, the position must be held by someone who is free of the political ties and personal vendettas that hold Sarsfield down.
As our elected leaders, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors should lead a crusade to find voters a worthy candidate for the important job of district attorney. And though San Benito County prides itself upon its independence, supervisors should prepare to look outside its borders for a fresh prospect to lead the embattled district attorney’s office like they did with the recent hiring of a county administrative officer. What we don’t need in our top law enforcement position is another person who is wrapped up in the political cliques that dominate San Benito County politics.
As the recall effort against Sarsfield reaches its conclusion, the area may need a DA candidate quickly. And the candidate must operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism – two words that seldom come to mind when considering our current district attorney and the shenanigans he inevitably becomes involved in.
