I have watched with great interest the battle of full-page ads between Francisco Rivero, candidate for sheriff, and the deputies, officers and other supporters of Sheriff Mitchell. Supporters of Sheriff Mitchell allege that Rivero has a record of three arrests.
They list dates and offenses but no other specific information. Francisco Rivero published his own full-page ad offering his reasonable explanation for each of his past contacts with law enforcement.
This caused me to seek out additional information to determine where the inconsistencies truly are. I didn”t want to ask any questions or interview anyone. I didn”t want anyone to interpret anything for me. I simply wanted to see proof of the allegations and come to my own conclusions. I was shown a report from Miami police that documents contact with Francisco Jose Rivero. Here are the inconsistencies as I see them:
Rivero”s ad says that stopping Cuban youth was commonplace when he lived in Miami.
The police report indicates that six officers responded to an in-progress burglary and made contact with four suspects, one of whom was Francisco Jose Rivero.
Francisco says the contact with Miami police was while he was walking home late one night from his job washing dishes. The time on the police report is 5:20 a.m. It further states that Francisco was in an alley. He was shirtless and sweating and told police he was looking for his girlfriend.
Francisco says he received a “loitering ticket.” The police report says he was transported to the Dade County Jail.
Francisco says he paid a small fine and the charges were dismissed.
The police report indicates he was assessed a total fine of $500 and 90 days probation.
It”s no wonder that Lake County law enforcement strongly opposes Francisco Rivero.
Gil Schoux
Kelseyville
