Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office Could Face Subpoena: Report

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith has for months refused requests from a civilian law enforcement watchdog group for access to records in connection with a bribery probe and that could lead to a subpoena, San Jose Spotlight reports.

The Board of Supervisors on Nov.3 voted unanimously in support of granting the Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring (OCLEM) subpoena powers according to the report.

A subpoena would open the door to personnel files for law enforcement figures involved in the case according to the report.

A Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers – one a prominent political backer - have been by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges, prosecutors said.

Captain James Jensen, attorney Christopher Schumb, attorney Harpaul Nahal, and business owner Michael Nichols are accused of conspiring with the CEO and a middle manager of AS Solution, Inc., an international security company, to offer a $90,000 bribe to obtain concealed firearms permits (CCW licenses) for the company's executive protection agents, the DA's office announced.

The alleged incidents occurred in 2018, while Smith — who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses — was in a hard-fought race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned on the charges on Aug. 31. If convicted, the defendants could receive prison time.

The DA's Office said it is continuing to investigate more crimes and other individuals related to the issuance of CCW licenses.

Read more at San Jose Spotlight