In a frenzied attempt to uncover who’s “leaking” details about a councilman accused of child sex crimes to the media, San Jose’s top administrators allegedly tried to question more than two dozen police officers — without informing them of their rights or following an investigatory process.
A legal demand letter sent by the San Jose Police Officers’ Association Friday details that stunning accusation, and questions whether San Jose leaders engaged in a cover-up about Councilmember Omar Torres — the downtown politician accused of soliciting sex with a minor , among other things. San José Spotlight exclusively reported last week how at least one elected official’s office was warned about Torres’ alleged criminal behavior, but a staffer was directed to ignore the message and no action was taken.
The union’s letter comes after city leaders ordered San Jose spokesperson Carolina Camarena to ask San José Spotlight CEO Ramona Giwargis to reveal her sources, a move that the city manager has since apologized for. In that unusual conversation, Camarena also name-dropped the police union as a source of confidential information on Torres — a claim the union says is “uninformed, irresponsible and defamatory.” The union is demanding a public apology and an investigation into the actions of higher-ups who ordered Camarena to make the bizarre inquiry.