FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 26, 2016

Contact: Nathan Ballard (415) 235-6283

DEPUTY SHERIFFS TAKE THEIR BOSS

TO COURT FOR SWINDLING FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT, CLIENTS
Union Slaps Republican Sheriff Laurie Smith
with Lawsuit Alleging Deceptive Practices
SAN JOSE, CA Today, the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County (DSA) filed a
lawsuit against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, a Republican, alleging that she
swindled the federal government and engaged in numerous illegal and deceptive practices.
When theres a big sporting event that needs security, Laurie Smith bills clients for federal
taxes, said Don Morrissey, president of the union. But instead of paying the taxes, she keeps
the money in a slush fund so shes defrauding the federal government and her clients at the
same time.
The lawsuit alleges that Smiths wrongdoing occurred while she was handling private contracts
for law enforcement personnel commonly referred to as pay jobs in which deputies are
hired to provide security for sporting events, concerts, parades, and other big events where public
safety is a concern.
The union said she was able to get away with the swindle because she failed to get the legallyrequired approval from the Board of Supervisors.
For years, Laurie Smith has been breaking the law and duping the Board of Supervisors, said
the unions vice president, Roger Winslow. Now the jig is up, and a judge will punish her.
The unions lawsuit makes a series of allegations against Smith:
1. Smith illegally bills contracting entities for amounts she claims are to pay for federal taxes,
but she fails to turn over any of the money to the federal government.
2. Smith illegally fails to get approval from the Board of Supervisors before entering into
contracts on behalf of the County to provide law enforcement services to private entities.

3. Smith illegally allows contracting agencies to use reserve deputies as cheap labor because
they perform work at a lower rate than regular deputies, and she has even gone so far as to
prohibit regular deputies from working events.
4. Smith has refused to follow the law and negotiate the rate of pay for deputies who work pay
jobs.
This is much more than a case of incompetent management its intentional deception, said
Morrissey. Laurie Smith has thrown out the rulebook entirely and has instead used this program
to fill up her slush fund and retaliate against her enemies all at the expense of public safety.
Morrissey also pointed out that Smiths failure to turn over taxes to the federal government may
jeopardize contracted deputies ability to receive social security.
This is not the first serious accusation of misconduct against Smith. Earlier this year, the DSA
demanded an investigation into Smith after media reports revealed that Smith attempted to
improperly influence Judge LaDoris Cordell (ret.).
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The Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County represents approximately 410 sworn
deputies, sheriffs sergeants and sheriffs lieutenants who work in the courts, investigate crimes
throughout the County and in the jails, patrol the streets of Cupertino, Los Altos Hills, Saratoga,
and unincorporated areas of the county, and provide police services for the Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA).