Santa Clara Vice Mayor guilty of perjury for 49ers leak

In the United States, specifically in Santa Clara, California, Anthony Becker, the Vice Mayor of Santa Clara and a member of the City Council, was convicted of perjury by a jury. The District Attorney's office announced on a Thursday that Becker was found guilty for lying to the county's Civil Grand Jury during their investigation into a leak of a confidential grand jury report. Becker, who was elected to the council in 2020, is set to have his term expire later this month after losing his re-election bid in November 2024. The grand jury had compiled a report titled "Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Santa Clara City Council" in 2022, which highlighted unethical relationships between Becker, other council members, and the San Francisco 49ers professional football team. This report was meant to be confidential, but details emerged in news reports just days before its public release on October 10, 2022. Following the leak, the grand jury initiated an investigation into the source. Prosecutors asserted that Becker leaked the report to Rahul Chandhok, who was the chief communications and public affairs officer for the 49ers at that time, and to a smaller local media outlet. During the investigation, while under oath, Becker denied having leaked the report. However, evidence presented during the trial indicated that Chandhok testified he received the report from Becker before it became public. The case underscored significant issues regarding trust and ethical conduct among public officials, especially given the financial interactions involved between Becker's political campaigns and the 49ers organization. The implications of this conviction are substantial, as Becker faces a potential maximum sentence of four years in county jail. His conviction not only reflects individual misconduct but also raises questions about the ethical standards expected of public officials. Becker’s sentencing is scheduled for January 31, 2025, amidst widespread scrutiny of political integrity and accountability in Santa Clara and beyond.