LAKE COUNTY— Former Lake County Supervisor, Anthony Farrington is running for District Attorney. Farrington said that “after the encouragement of many residents I have decided to run. I can no longer remain idle while crime continues to proliferate our communities leaving our residents and businesses feeling less safe.” Farrington cites recent reports ranking Lake County with one of the highest per capita arrest rates in the state, and the
City of Clearlake having one of the highest per capita crime rates, (ranking in the top 10-20 cities in California depending on reports). Even more alarming Farrington cites new statistics that show that the number of property theft crimes in the City of Lakeport now surpasses the City of Clearlake, despite Lakeport having only a third of the population.
Farrington stated, “Our local police and deputies sacrifice each day making the necessary arrests; however, Covid-19 has provided criminals with cover; and the legal consequences for criminal conduct in our state
has diminished. Local law enforcement agencies are strained with limited staffing and resources. This must change. I will be a District Attorney who is an aggressive public safety advocate – not just a trial lawyer.”
Farrington believes that our current District Attorney Susan Krones is soft on crime. He said, “In 2020, she went Judge shopping in order to push through a plea deal of “probation only” for Krystina Pickersgill who sold multiple teenage girls for sex despite Judge Markham having already rejected such a horrific plea deal. She has failed to prioritize the investigation of child molestation cases with many months passing before child victims are interviewed; and she has failed to vigorously prosecute perpetrators of domestic violence who have violated restraining orders under PC 273.6 that protects domestic violence victims. In 2019, she approved a light prison sentence for arsonist Damon Pashlik who started the Clayton fire and three other major fires that devasted our County. With credits and good behavior Pashlik could be released in four years.”
Farrington said, “our county is at a critical juncture; and we are in an unprecedented crisis. As District Attorney, I will help secure funding for public safety and support local law enforcement by prosecuting all crimes, even misdemeanors; and take immediate action to tackle the human blight that is now plaguing our communities. Handing out light sentences to criminals who commit heinous crimes will no longer be on the table.”
Farrington was elected to four terms as Lake County’s 4 th District Supervisor often garnering almost 70 percent of the vote each election where he served a total of (16) years. While serving on the Board of Supervisors, Farrington worked on a number of committees related to public safety: Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS); Mental Health Advisory Board; Children’s Council, (consortium of organization advocates for abused children); PublicDefender’s Oversight Committee, (watchdog committee for court appointed attorneys for indigent criminal defendants); and the Cannabis Cultivation Committee (formed to implement
local ordinances to regulate cannabis and secure funding to invest in public safety).
While on the Board, Farrington also was a pioneer in public safety. Farrington authored landmark local legislation that later became implemented throughout the State of California. First, Farrington introduced a local ordinance that put cold medications containing pseudoephedrine behind the counter at local retailers which reduced pseudoephedrine products from being purchased or stolen in order to manufacture methamphetamine. Secondly, Farrington introduced a local ordinance to create the state’s first GIS website that showed the locations of registered sex offenders residing within Lake County. Today, the state
has implemented a statewide website under Megan’s Law.
Farrington said “I have always been an advocate for the safety of our communities, and I still believe today that safe communities are the foundation for a strong economy.” As a Supervisor, Farrington was a strong supporter of local law enforcement while he served on the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) Board of Directors, a state organization where he advocated for rural law enforcement funding resulting in $500,000.00 to be allocated to Lake County annually. He supported pay increases for local deputies, correctional officers; and dispatch staff due to ongoing retention issues. In addition, he was a vocal opponent to the City of Lakeport’s proposed South Main Street annexation which would have resulted in a significant loss of funding for law enforcement. Prior to stepping down, Farrington organized the County’s
Cannabis Cultivation Advisory Committee with the intent to regulate local cannabis and to secure much needed funding for the DA’s office and local law enforcement. The County annually realizes approximately $10 million in taxes from local cannabis cultivation. As District Attorney, Farrington will advocate that this money be primarily used to support local law enforcement and the DA’s office as initially intended including creating a cannabis and environmental prosecution unit.
“I bring a unique perspective to this upcoming election, unlike any other prospective DA candidate. I have been a victim of multiple crimes, and I have often felt that I did not have a voice. It’s personal for me. I know what it’s like to have a father murdered at the age of 7, and not having a voice. As our County’s next District Attorney, I will ensure that all victims are given a strong voice, and that criminals be held accountable” Farrington said.
Farrington is a local business owner and private attorney engaged in the practice of civil and criminal law. Over the past decade, Farrington has prosecuted a significant number of domestic violence protective orders on behalf of abused women with a 100 percent prosecution rate.
Also, through a state contract he currently represents many abused children that have been taken from their parents by Child Welfare Services due to child abuse and/or neglect.
Farrington is a native of Lake County born in Clearlake. Farrington attended Mendocino College where he received his Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from U.C. Davis. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Concord Law. Farrington is a staunch supporter of the second amendment and supports law abiding citizens possessing and carrying firearms. In his free time, he likes to go to the shooting range; work on his ranch; go fishing; work on his classic cars; and spending time with his family.
