Another top San Jose political leader was contacted about Councilmember Omar Torres — now facing charges of molestation and child sex crimes — more than a year before his downfall.
Screenshots obtained by San José Spotlight shows a tipster — who had been in a sexual relationship with Torres — sent Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei a message on Facebook in April 2023 about the now disgraced official. It’s the same man who contacted another San Jose councilmember two weeks later, as reported by this news organization . Both warnings fell on deaf ears.
Kamei is now the second elected official who was tipped off about Torres, but nothing was done. The city failed to disclose the messages in response to a public records request by this news organization, raising questions as to whether they’re either being hidden or were deleted.
Sources with knowledge of the police investigation have confirmed the city attorney’s office asked police to put emails, texts and other communications into the investigative file to avoid public disclosure.