Federal agents searched the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office in Martinez and two East Bay homes Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The FBI confirmed that search warrants were served at the Assessor’s Office, a residence in Martinez, and a home in nearby Pacheco. The locations are reportedly connected to outgoing Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer and Assistant Assessor Vince Robb, who was elected last week to succeed Kramer as assessor.
According to the Chronicle, citing reporting from the Mercury News, one of the search warrants sought evidence related to wire fraud and other potential offenses. The warrant was signed by a federal magistrate judge on June 4.
No arrests or criminal charges had been announced as of Tuesday, and authorities have not said whether Kramer, Robb, or anyone else is the target of the investigation.
The Assessor’s Office is responsible for determining taxable property values throughout Contra Costa County, which help establish property tax bills and funding for local governments, schools, and special districts.
Robb won the June 2 election with more than two-thirds of the vote and is scheduled to replace Kramer, who has served as county assessor since 1994 and is retiring at the end of his term.
The FBI has not released additional details about the investigation.
Nothing will happen to them, zero jail time will be served, so what is the point?
Until these type of people have to repay the taxpayers, it is really a moot point.
With that being said if they are found guilty, I hope they fry them both.
People lost their homes because of this sort of crap!!!
Until an example is made there is really no deterrent, hang’um from the highest tree if found guilty.
Wow…this could get spicy!
Finally Gus is leaving elected office!!!
My first cousin was a great and well respected CoCo County Tax Assor in the 1980s. He is over 90 now and I remember him telling me that this Kramer Guy was a bum and probably a crook! Looks like he was right
What if they are innocent?
You obviously don’t know Gus.
Not Likely!!!
Investigations start when there is probable cause of a crime, at a constitutional process is followed. If no evidence of a crime is discovered then the investigation is concluded. If evidence is found and a prima facie case can be made, then it moves to filing a charge.
Its the actions that are investigated, not the people. But if you like pathos and drama, then you throw all that out and ask at the beginning “what if they are innocent?”
Good riddance, Kramer. He’s a piece of crap.
I wonder if someone will bail Gus out this time too?
Has anything happened with the raid of Concord political operative Mary Jo Rossi’s home by the FBI last year?
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Some believe the raid on her home had to do with the indictment of DeNova Homes executives David Sanson and Trent Sanson, but the public still knows nothing.
Corruptifornia is right in your back yard! I hope we can survive it but I’m not sure about the borgs who will vote in a “woke” dem for governor.
30 years? No term limits? That guy is disgusting. He made sexual advances on women who became whistleblowers and finally prevailed with a $1 million settlement. Taxpayers $$. Thanks to Kramer’s lecherous ways. But FBI is going after something else. Corruption. Collusion.
Can I apply for a refund for all the extra property taxes I have paid over the years with interest. But I want him to pay it out not the tax payers.
Well there is one current and a couple of former BoS members that need to be hauled in and with David Twa and John Cullen as they all spent years sweeping his crap under the carpet. question along
I’m hoping there is some meaningful investigative reporting on this entire situation, including Kramer’s prior trial, which happened when I lived in another part of the state and I was therefore unaware. Also, any implication of Robb in wrongdoing will influence my vote in November. I hold public officials to a high standard, at the local, state and national level.
mr wrong
You obviously never worked for the county. They BoS and various CAO’s have been sweeping Gus’ crap under the rug for years. Sexual harassment committed by Gus’ is legendary. Corruption rumors have swirled for years. It was a matter of time before the lid blew off
This story is wild, I really hope the media digs into this one so we learn the extent of it because the potential damage could be extensive.
Don’t believe everything you think. What can you conclude, that’s the question. Since no evidence was provided in the press release, nor was the subject matter of the search identified, there’s no basis for the public to draw any conclusion.
Well Inspector I can tell you never worked for the county. Those of us who have and know of Gus’ antics are saying “finally”. I just wished it was for sexual misconduct and corruption within the office and mot grifting and graft for personal gain. Tge women he damaged will never get complete retribution for his disgusting actions.
But like many I’ll take whatever they can get him on l. And next up should be past and present BoS members and former CAO’s that have swept his crap under the carpet for over 30 years
Everybody that worked for the county in Martinez knew including BoS members (past and present) and at least 2 CAO’s, the CC Times, and the freakin Taxpayer Assoc You didn’t have to work directly for him to know. Sexual harassment claims started in the union and were escalated to county HR where they died until 3 women, who had more balls than of the men in the county sued and the county settled out of court knowing Gus was guilty
I would say hopefully this is the beginning of the end of skeevy crap in the county but having spent 32 years there I have my doubts
mr right,
.
Well Folks has told us about the problems within Contra Costa County government for more than a decade.
mr right,
.
You obviously know Gus Kramer since you’re so quick to believe in his innocence and place blame of wrongdoing on his employees. Your even attemting to parrot Gus’ talking points claiming that, “It’s former employees who left a few years ago who are making accusations.”
.
Now we have the bigger problem of future Contra Costa County Assessor Vince Robb taking over the position while under investigation. Hopefully, we can get rid of him soon!
mr right,
.
You should’ve started with that position.
Contra Costa County sure does seem to have a corruption problem at the county level of government. First it was Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson illegally using campaign funds for personal items and committing perjury in 2016. Next it was Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla committing grand theft of campaign funds and perjury in 2020. Now we have the FBI raiding the office and homes of the current Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer and the future Contra Costa County Assessor Vince Robb. Contra Costa County voters need to make better decisions when voting.
I’m voting for Boss Hogg next time.