LAKE COUNTY — The group behind the effort to oust Sheriff Frank Rivero said its supporters have gathered more than two-thirds of the signatures required to get the recall bid on the ballot.
The Committee to Restore Integrity estimated the total was at 5,000 names as of Wednesday, according to spokesman Chris Rivera.
“The exact count is not known at this time; the numbers are constantly changing because there are signature-gatherers obtaining signatures every day,” Rivera added. “At this rate, we anticipate reaching or exceeding 9,000 total signatures, which is well over the amount required to put this recall on the November ballot.”
The group would need to collect at least 7,026 valid signatures, representing 20 percent of registered Lake County voters, by mid-June in order to meet election officials” deadline to qualify for the regular election this fall.
The proponents contend Rivero, who started his first term as sheriff-coroner in January 2011, should be removed from office because of dishonesty, unethical behavior, isolating the sheriff”s office from other agencies and dishonoring the department.
Rivero, whose term expires in 2015, denies the group”s assertions and argues the recall effort is based on lies and misinformation.
One of the biggest blows against the sheriff was District Attorney Don Anderson”s determination in February that Rivero lied to investigators after a 2008 on-duty shooting — an allegation the sheriff denies.
The recall committee announced its intent to begin a campaign to oust Rivero roughly two weeks after Anderson”s finding became public in early March. Group members got approval to start circulating their recall petition April 17.
The proponents have until Aug. 15 to collect the necessary signatures, but the deadline is almost two months earlier — June 17 — if they want the recall bid to appear on the regular November ballot in order to avoid a potential special election.
Rivera claimed some signature-gatherers faced verbal abuse during the past two weeks.
“So far there has been some remote harassment from a handful of Rivero supporters, but nothing that has deterred us from this historic effort,” Rivera added. “Lately, we are finding that people who were originally afraid of retaliation from Rivero supporters are now willing to take the chance in order to make this recall happen.”
To contact the proponents, email info@recallrivero.com or call 671-5569. For more information, visit www.recallrivero.com or go to the “Recall Rivero” Facebook page.
