San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has withdrawn his endorsement of Tam Truong, a City Council candidate and police officer who’s still running for office after county prosecutors charged him with grand theft related to mortgage fraud allegations.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s office last week filed a one-count criminal complaint charging Truong with grand theft of personal property — exceeding $100,000 — from Orange Coast Title of Northern California, PHH Mortgage Services, Newrez LLC and American Home Mortgage.
Mahan said that while he awaits the outcome of Truong’s case, he’s withdrawing his support for him in the District 8 race.
“This is a serious charge that requires a fair, thorough and timely investigation,” Mahan told San José Spotlight. “While I understand Tam Truong has stated he is innocent of this single charge, that must now be determined through our judicial system. Given these facts I am withdrawing my endorsement until such time as this case is resolved.”
The San Jose Police Department put Truong on administrative leave in light of the criminal complaint. Truong , who’s worked in law enforcement for two decades and is running against incumbent Councilmember Domingo Candelas for the District 8 seat in November, was sued last year for allegedly defrauding an escrow officer with the Orange Coast Title Company, which allowed Truong to ditch his mortgage and collect nearly $540,000 from the sale of a home.