Monterey County Sheriff candidate accused of embezzling
A Monterey County Sheriff's deputy who is running to become the county's next sheriff was blasted by a sheriff's commander Tuesday at a news conference with accusations of embezzling money for his campaign.
Deputy Scott Davis is the only challenger attempting to oust Sheriff Steve Bernal in the upcoming June election. Davis is the former union president of the Deputy Sheriff's Association and a current Salinas City Council member.
FACEBOOK LIVE: Scott Davis fires back
On Tuesday, Cmdr. Joe Moses accused Davis and current DSA president Dan Mitchell of fiscal mismanagement, embezzlement, fraud, and campaign money laundering from the DSA.
"What we uncovered in our limited investigation shows over $31,000 of membership dues (were) laundered into Scott Davis' campaign fund to pay his campaign manager, Christian Schnieder of Pivotal Campaign Services," Moses said.
"In addition, there are several questionable donations and reimbursements made on behalf of Scott Davis out of the DSA coffers," Moses said.
Davis fired back during a Facebook Live interview with KSBW. When asked if the accusations were true, he said, "No, absolutely not."
Bernal and Sheriff's Office spokesperson Cmdr. John Thornburg did not attend the news conference.
Bernal issued a prepared statement to KSBW Tuesday afternoon: "This is strictly a DSA matter between the individual bargaining units inside the DSA. We are concerned with the alleged allegations and will await the outcome of any investigation that may come as a result. I am not a member of the DSA and have no input in there [sic] activities."
Campaign signs have popped up across Monterey County as Bernal and Davis prepare to face-off in June. With only two candidates, and a majority vote needed to win, the election will not stretch into November.
Following Tuesday's news conference, Davis challenged Bernal to a public debate.
"I'm very proud of the fact that I'm stepping up. I'm excited to see this through to June 5th," Davis said.
Davis was endorsed for the 2018 sheriff's race by the union from which he is now accused of embezzling money. Bernal was elected as sheriff in 2014 after winning an upset victory over then-sheriff Scott Miller. Davis was president of the DSA in 2014 when the union endorsed Bernal.
Davis' Facebook campaign page recently posted a KSBW news story headlined, "Monterey County facing staffing cuts amid $36 million deficit."
The Facebook post criticized Bernal's money management skills, claiming that he had the "largest budget in the history of the office, but projected $4.5-$8M over budget this fiscal year. There are more Sergeants, Commanders, and Captains than deputies on the street."
Moses said Davis and Mitchell concealed the DSA's financial records after Moses began inquiring about how money was being spent.
According to Moses, one red flag happened in 2016, when Mitchell entered a five-year lease for a DSA office in Oldtown Salinas.
"Several members began questioning how the Board President could unilaterally enter into such an expensive lease and had asked Mr. Mitchell to provide an accounting of DSA's income and expenditures. No such report was produced. In fact, no such report had been provided in several years," Moses said.
Moses said he was ousted from his seat on the DSA board for prodding into financial records, and the C-Unit, which represents the Sheriff's Office's high ranking commanders and captains, was completely removed from the union last week.
"Membership voted to immediately remove the C-Unit from the DSA. At this point, we are no longer active members of the DSA and have no ability to question the DSA Board regarding the financial improprieties we have uncovered," Moses said.
The C-Unit filed a complaint to the California Fair Political Practices Commission.
This breaking news story will be updated.