Bay area sheriff found guilty of corruption for trading CCWs for political donations

Former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith was found guilty on all six counts of corruption and willful misconduct in her civil corruption trial on Thursday.

The six-term sheriff, who retired on Monday, was accused of providing concealed carry weapons permits (CCWs) in exchange for political donations or other favors, reports ABC 7.

The charges also related to evading the reporting of gifts, like a suite at a San Jose Sharks game, and mishandling an internal investigation of an inmate who was injured while being transferred to jail.

The charges were first issued by a grand jury in December. A judge and other officials from neighboring San Mateo County were brought in to avoid a conflict of interest when the trial started last month.

"I think this signals that no one is above the law and that serious, troubling wrongdoing - as was uncovered in our investigation - is something our community takes seriously," District Attorney Jeff Rosen told ABC7.

Shortly after Smith’s conviction, acting Sheriff Ken Bind said in a statement, “The actions of a few people are not a reflection of the great work that our deputies do every day.”

A 50-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, Smith is now barred from holding public office because of the conviction. However, lawyers say she is still entitled to her pension.

Richard Alexander, a lawyer who is not affiliated with the case but is familiar with Smith, suggested there was more evidence not presented in the trial that will paint a much different picture.

"When you have erroneous rulings on matters of law, those are gonna go straight up to the Court of Appeal," Alexander told ABC7, adding that Smith “has thrived, and more than survive, she has succeeded in a real boys club.”

Criminal indictments remain against others accused in the bribery, conspiracy scandal around political favoritism and CCWs remain.

"Those trials will be upcoming in the next several months," Rosen said. "And those are criminal trials and the penalties for those involve state prison."

"I think this is an example of the system working," Rosen added. "Which is to say that the jury's determination that the sheriff committed serious and troubling wrongdoing, demonstrates that in our system of justice, everyone is equal under the law."