The San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association has withdrawn
its prior endorsement of Undersheriff Pat Turturici while citing
what the organization’s president called
”
integrity
”
and
”
ethical
”
issues.
The San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association has withdrawn its prior endorsement of Undersheriff Pat Turturici while citing what the organization’s president called “integrity” and “ethical” issues.
A majority of the deputy sheriff’s association – the union representing many of the office’s non-supervisorial positions – voted Sept. 29 to withdraw the endorsement given to Turturici earlier this year, according to an announcement from DSA President Mike Mull. The deputies union instead has decided to stay neutral in the race for sheriff, Mull said.
Turturici faces Watsonville police Lt. Darren Thompson on the Nov. 2 ballot. They were the top vote-getters in the June primary race that also included Marshal Robert Scattini and Hollister police Sgt. Ray Wood.
Mull in a phone interview Monday said the union met last week to consider withdrawal of the endorsement after “circumstances came to light within the past few months.”
He said he had approached Turturici before the vote about what he called “some integrity issues, some ethical issues.” Mull offered to elaborate on one of those matters, involving a $750 donation made to the undersheriff’s campaign June 24 from Hollister Collision Center and owner Kenneth Perez, a felon on probation who is convicted of a drug charge.
Perez in April 2007 accepted a plea deal on a felony conviction for drug possession while possessing a firearm. Other felony charges dropped by prosecutors at the time included allegations of another drug accusation; receiving or concealing stolen property; and manufacturing, importing or selling illegal weapons, according to court records.
Mull contended that during the primary after Perez had supported Scattini in the race – donating $949 to his campaign – Turturici told office deputies to make negative, anonymous posts on the Free Lance website about the marshal’s connection to the Hollister Collision Center owner. Mull claimed that when he learned about the donation to Turturici’s campaign, the undersheriff denied telling office employees to help his campaign.
“I told him, ‘Look, when Robert Scattini was running you had told some deputies you wanted them to put some negative things in there,” Mull said. “He (Turturici) said, ‘No, I never said that.'”
Mull went on: “I was the deputy he told. I wanted him to take an ethical stance. That’s an issue. It does not sit right with us.”
The union president acknowledged that people with criminal histories can turn their lives around.
“But the thing is, when you’re in law enforcement, you’re held to a higher standard,” Mull said.
He added that not all deputies supported pulling the endorsement, and that the move had no reflection on Thompson. Mull declined to specify the vote breakdown and also said the decision was “not part of a political agenda.”
Turturici did not return phone calls before publication requesting an interview for this story.
His opponent, Thompson, said he was “excited” about the endorsement withdrawal because it shows the members are “willing to embrace a new leader.”
“And I think it took a ton of courage for the membership to make the statement they’re making by revoking their endorsement,” Thompson said.
As for taking notice of who wants to donate to his own campaign, Thompson said he has to “pay attention” to the source of the money.
“I know that’s a critical exercise running for an office where integrity is being considered by the public,” Thompson said.
Turturici had received the deputy union’s endorsement in January or February, Mull estimated. The group’s backing came before Thompson had entered the race or had a chance to speak before the entire organization. Thompson followed up with a “meet and greet” at a deputy sheriff’s association meeting, but said it was not an attempt to gain the endorsement.
Scattini said he didn’t have any thoughts on his prior support from Perez. He said Perez is a charitable person in the community.
“I know Kenny Perez, to me, he’s a great guy,” Scattini said. “He’s a family man, very religious.”
Perez could not be reached immediately for comment before publication.
THE UNION’S ANNOUNCEMENT:
“On September 29, 2010, the San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association held a general membership meeting. A topic discussed at this meeting was the endorsement the DSA had given Undersheriff Patrick Turturici for the position of Sheriff of San Benito County. The majority of members present at this meeting voted to withdraw the Deputy Sheriff’s Association endorsement for Patrick Turturici. The DSA does not wish to publicly comment on all the topics that were discussed, which led to the change of this endorsement. The deputies that were present at this meeting showed courage in making this decision, as it was not easy to do.
We as the DSA believe that the person we endorse for the position of sheriff should have integrity, a high standard of ethics, and morals. The DSA is not endorsing either sheriff candidate at this time and will stay neutral in our position for Sheriff of San Benito County.”
Sincerely,
Mike Mull, President
San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
