MEMO: The Case Against Scandal-Ridden Scott Jones
TO: Interested Parties
FROM: Barb Solish, DCCC West Press Secretary
DATE: June 7, 2016
Tonight’s California Primary results mark the beginning of the general election race for California’s 7th Congressional district where scandal-ridden Sheriff Scott Jones will attempt to challenge two-term incumbent Dr. Ami Bera.
This race will be defined by Scott Jones’ poor judgment exposed in a recent discrimination case, his mismanagement of taxpayer money, and his endorsement of Donald Trump. In addition to those factors, Jones faces a strong two-term incumbent with a 5:1 cash-on-hand advantage and presidential turnout that consistently favors Democrats.
JONES’ LACK OF JUDGMENT
Lawsuit Exposes Jones’ “Good Old Boy” Management
Scott Jones’ poor judgment was exposed after a jury recently found the Sheriff’s department retaliated against four veteran female sheriffs who spoke out about preferential treatment under Jones’ watch. The women harmed raised the discrimination directly to Jones when he was commander of the Jail, and he did nothing. Jones is responsible for creating a culture where discrimination is tolerated.
The drip drip drip of Jones’ role in what one editorial called a “damning verdict, one of the strongest rebukes against local law enforcement in recent memory,” and other Department scandals will surely continue in the months ahead.
Full-throated Trump Endorsement
“I would definitely support Trump” – Scott Jones
Jones’ lack of judgment in endorsing Trump has already cost him the support of the Teamsters and blowback from local leaders.
Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna perhaps put it best: “When Jones says he supports Trump and plans to vote for him – regardless of the rationale – he is saying to the electorate and his constituency that he is willing to support a racist, bigoted, misogynist, veteran-bashing mocker of people with disabilities. That is offensive and for many of us like me, a proud Mexican-American, it’s also very personal.”
Jones will have to own every divisive policy and offensive priority that Trump promotes between now and Election Day.
WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY
The High Cost of Scandal
The discrimination lawsuit was not only telling of Jones’ lack of judgment and character, it also exposed the high costs associated with the many lawsuits brought against his department under his watch. Soon after the $3.5 million discrimination lawsuit was made public, it was reported that the Sheriff’s Department’s legal expenses have cost Sacramento taxpayers nearly $640,000 so far.
Jones is sure to come under further scrutiny for his costly, poor leadership and management. As the Sacramento Bee’s Editorial Board put it, “taxpayers can’t afford the litigation this kind of management engenders…voters know where the buck stops.”
Budget Mismanagement
It’s not just Jones’ scandals that are costing taxpayers. Jones recently came under fire for mismanaging his department’s budget, which Jones said would cause cutbacks to jails and detective units.
Campaign Pledge Costs All Taxpayers
Scott Jones made a campaign promise to issue a concealed-carry gun permit to anyone who wants one. There were 350 concealed-carry permits in Sacramento when he took office, and now there are 8,000, making Sacramento County home to the state’s third-largest number of permits.
Political statement aside, the process is costing taxpayers to the tune of $239,000 just this year. The cost to taxpayers doubled between FY14/15 and now.
CONCLUSION
Scandal-ridden Scott Jones’ lack of judgment and penchant for wasting taxpayer money makes him no match for battle-tested, bipartisan problem-solver Dr. Ami Bera.