A Santa Clara City Council member who had been the city’s vice mayor was found guilty of perjury after prosecutors claimed he had misled a 49ers official about a grand jury report.
Anthony Becker, 39, was convicted by a jury of lying before the county’s Civil Grand Jury, according to a statement released by the office of District Attorney Jeff Rosen on Thursday. Having been elected to the council in 2020, Becker’s term ends later this month after he failed his campaign for reelection in November. But the day following the guilty verdict, on Friday, he resigned.
According to a statement from Rosen, “some may have grown accustomed to public officials lying.” “It is not a white lie, an exaggeration, or politics to commit perjury before a civil grand jury. It is a grave violation of the public trust and a felony.
A 2022 grand jury report titled “Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Santa Clara City Council” found that Becker and other council members had an improper relationship with the football team, which plays its home games at Levi’s Stadium, according to prosecutors.
News outlets disclosed information from the study after the city received a confidential draft copy of it a few days prior to its planned release on October 10, 2022. The grand jury started looking into where the leak came from.
According to the prosecution, Becker gave Rahul Chandhok, the 49ers’ then-chief communications and public affairs officer, access to the study. Additionally, the material was leaked by Becker to a “small, local media outlet.”
Although Chandhok later testified that Becker sent him the report before its scheduled release date, prosecutors claim that Becker denied to the civil grand jury that he leaked the material.
According to the DA’s office, the group contributed over $3.2 million via independent expenditure committees to Becker’s successful 2020 city council race and his unsuccessful 2020 mayoral campaign.
According to prosecutors, Becker could receive a maximum term of four years in county jail. His sentencing date is set for January 31, 2025.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.