Silva, a Republican who was elected mayor in 2012, was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents on Thursday at the summer camp, which Stockton leases from the U.S. Forest Service in the Sierra mountains.
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Blower says in light of the alleged bad decisions Silva has made, now it’s time for him to make the right one.
It was a casual relationship that never revealed any of Silva’s previous scandals, dating back at least 11 years.
(Calixtro Romias/The Record via AP).
In this May 19, 2016 photo, Mayor Anthony Silva speaks at his fourth State of City address at the Port of Stockton in Stockton, Calif. Authorities say the mayor of Stockton, California, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, on charges he provided alcohol to minors at a youth camp he runs.
A mayor accused of playing strip poker with a group of youngsters while providing them with alcohol at a summer camp has been arrested.
Anthony Ray Silva, mayor of Stockton, California, is pictured in this undated handout booking photo.
Silva didn’t take questions and didn’t talk about his political future amid growing calls for his resignation.
Silva vigorously denied all charges while not specifically addressing whether the game occurred. According to a local prosecutor, one of the people involved in the adult-themed game of chance was a 16-year-old child. “I never ever, ever, ever endangered a child”.
“I’ve never seen the victim of a theft be trashed in the media like I have”, he said. And I certainly did not secretly record anyone. “I’m innocent and I appreciate your patience”.
N. Allen Sawyer, Silva’s attorney, told Ars that his client remains mayor, has posted bail, and has returned Thursday afternoon to the camp to help final clean up. Silva is running for re-election this fall.
Sawyer believes that the arrest is a political maneuver since Silva is set to face Democratic City Councilman Michael Tubbs in a heated election in November.
Silva has been the mayor of Stockton, California since 2012.
The next day, he clarified his statement to CBS: “I think I said, I’m not African American, but I’m pretty darn close”. Despite the denial, many are calling on Silva to resign immediately.
Silva was arrested and, clad in a black T-shirt, shorts, white socks, sandals and now handcuffs, guided into a police cruiser.
Blower says he’s embarrassed by all the drama, all the attention taking place in the city of Stockton. “The mayor’s actions have formed not merely a dark cloud, but a full-fledged storm over the mayor’s ability to govern and represent the city of Stockton”. Silva also is facing misdemeanor charges of contributing to a delinquency of a minor, providing alcohol to someone under the age of 21 and cruelty to a child by endangering health.
An FBI investigation began past year.
The FBI turned over contents of the cellphone to Amador County on July 26. There are clear indications that the players did not want to be recorded. Prosecutors said some were camp counselors.
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An 18-year-old woman told the investigator there were six counselors in the room, along with the mayor, who is charged with secretly recording the incident without permission. According to the Los Angeles Times, the 41-year-old was busted for playing strip poker with a minor and giving booze to underaged teens.
