Martinez, Calif. – Today, the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office’s filed a Grand Jury Accusation against Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer for “willful or corrupt” misconduct while serving as the county’s elected assessor (Government Code §§ 3060 et seq). Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury asserts that the defendant violated state law in creating a hostile work environment for multiple employees in the Assessor’s Office. Due to state law, our Office must accept, serve and file the accusation against the defendant. If a jury finds Mr. Kramer violated the law and if he is convicted, he will be removed from his position as the county’s elected assessor.
The Accusation alleges misconduct by Kramer which occurred from December 2013 through 2019. The Grand Jury Accusation alleges that Mr. Kramer made sexual comments towards female employees and his disparaging remarks targeted one of the victim’s ethnicity. The Civil Grand Jury found this alleged conduct was “hostile or abusive” against four employees. As a result, the Civil Grand Jury through its investigation found that this conduct by Mr. Kramer created a hostile work environment for his employees and is therefore a violation of the Fair Housing and Employment Act.
Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and to protect the privacy of the victims we will not be releasing any of their names.
Earlier this morning Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Walpole presented the filing before Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Theresa Canepa in Department 35. Our Office was not involved, and did not participate in the investigation by the Civil Grand Jury. The District Attorney requested a judicial hearing to determine if the Office will be recused from the remainder of this proceeding.
The foreperson for the 2018-2019 Grand Jury is Richard S. Nakano. State law lists the requirements for the Civil Grand Jury and District Attorney’s Office to process an accusation against a public official.
He should’ve been removed from his position a long time ago. We know his “record.” I left his position “blank” on my ballot. I wouldn’t vote for him for dog catcher. Life in prison without the possibility of parole.
“We know his “record.””
Really? How does that reach the voter exactly? It wasn’t in the voter information pamphlet. I’m pretty sure I would have remembered that. Who was his opponent again? Surely she would have mentioned that. If her name was Noneoftheabove, I think I voted for her.
Sorry to hear that — if this is true — he’s an awful person. But during the Great Recession, he aggressively pushed down tax assessments on people’s properties to try to reflect the lower actual value of the houses, much to the consternation of the Board of Supervisors. Most tax collectors would never view their jobs as other than “take all we can” — I don’t know how many people he kept in their homes because of this tax relief, but it was a lot. It certainly was a big help to us.
If he did this, he ought to leave office, but I’m damned glad he was where he was.
It’s not just sexual harassment charges. Google his name and read some eye opening charges, including his own daughter-in-law’s statements. The BoS has been covering for him for years. Those of us who follow local news are well aware of his history. He IS an awful person.