A Santa Clara County Superior Court jury today acquitted two men in the last case stemming from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office alleged bribery scandal over concealed gun permits. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on a third defendant.
Former Sheriff’s Capt. James Jensen and former security firm executive Thomas Moyer were found not guilty late this afternoon, and a mistrial was declared for former undersheriff Rick Sung.
The trial began March 6 in San Jose.
Jensen was convicted on related charges last July and sentenced in December to 10 months in jail—in connection with a corruption scandal over the issuing of concealed-gun licenses that ultimately resulted in the resignation of former Sheriff Laurie Smith.
Prosecutors had characterized the scandal as a years-long pay-to-play scheme in which the sheriff’s office, under Smith, allegedly traded concealed-carry weapon permits for political donations, favors and other in-kind support.
After today’s verdict was announced, District Attorney Jeff Rosen issued this statement: “We respect the jury’s determination. We remain proud of our office’s investigation because it resulted in several related convictions as well as improvements at the Sheriff’s Office and in how concealed firearms permits are handled. We remain committed to rooting out this type of corruption wherever it may lie.”
