2024 Election: Criminal Charge Against San Jose City Council Candidate Tam Truong Dismissed

SAN JOSE, California (KGO) — A criminal charge against a candidate for San Jose City Council District 8 was dismissed Friday.

Tam Truong He was previously charged with grand theft for allegedly using his position as a police officer to defraud mortgage companies of more than half a million dollars.

The private security company he owns was also sued for alleged wage theft.

Truong issued a statement declaring his innocence, writing:

“As a police sergeant I always had faith in the criminal justice system. Because I am completely innocent, I always knew this would be the result. I want to thank my friends and family who supported me and, most of all, my neighbors and supporters in District 8 who never wavered in their support of our campaign for safer streets, to end street homelessness and to make City Hall work better for everyone. of us“.

But Truong is still involved in a civil case involving real estate.

Truong is a sergeant with the San Jose Police Department, but has been on administrative leave and has had his officer certification temporarily suspended.

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Truong competes against Sunday Candles in the District 8 race.

Despite the allegations and the loss of key endorsements, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Truong remains in the city council race.

Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office said earlier this weekMore than 100,000 votes are being processed and Truong remains a candidate.

“The election is still happening, we are still certifying and there is a winner,” said Evelyn Mendez, Public Information Officer for the Registrar of Voters. “The winner, if he wants to resign, he can, if someone wants to overturn him, that’s a different process. But the ballots still count and we still certify the election as it is with the ballots that have already gone out.”