Contra Costa County Gun Permit Corruption
(or: The Rupf Follies)

By Jim March
jmarch@prodigy.net

February 18, 2002

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Introduction

Sheriff Warren Rupf of Contra Costa County, California has financed his re-election efforts with selective issuance of both "CCW" (Carry Concealed Weapons) permits and a "quasi law enforcement status" totally illegal and improper in it's own right.

To understand how this was done, one must review and analyze three separate sources of information:

1) Campaign contribution records available at the County Board of Elections;

2) "Raw data" on CCW permitholders available via Public Records Act and summarized in Appendix A of this document; and

3) A "Sheriff's Posse Of Contra Costa County" newsletter from mid-2001 plus other "Posse insider" documents such as the application forms. As a "bonus", I can also prove that Rupf distributed Posse info and materials through his county offices and employees in a fashion more or less identical to what Gayle Bishop was jailed for.

Index

Part 1: The Posse

History

The Contra Costa Sheriff's Mounted Posse had existed as a reserve sworn deputy unit until approximately 30 years ago. Its primary function was horse-mounted search and rescue, no doubt necessary in it's day. As the county urbanized, it's membership of citizens who had to own their own horses necessarily meant that it's members tended to be wealthy.

That in turn made it a campaign contribution goldmine for past Sheriffs.

As the members aged, at some point it was reduced in function to a parade and ceremonial unit still formally associated with the Sheriff's office, while a more modern "mechanized" Search and Rescue team took over those functions.

Several Posse members have told me that somewhere between 25 and 30 years ago, during a parade, a child blew a whistle in a horse's ear and it bolted. It failed to hurdle a parked car, and an elderly Posse member was severely injured (broken neck, per one source). The Sheriff at that time disbanded the Posse as a law enforcement unit…but it remained constituted as a political and social club dedicated to the support of the incumbent Sheriff. As you'll see, it's remaining "law enforcement status" is considerable — and illegal as hell.


The Posse Today

As preparation for my Federal court case in 2001, I had a friend from a wealthy part of the county attempt to gain Posse-related information from the Sheriff's office. Sure enough, he was able to obtain the following two-page Posse application form from the Sheriff's office secretary:

Let's add up the "police-like features" listed on the above-linked letter from the Sheriff: badges, gold stars, an "oath of office" in a "swearing-in ceremony" at the Sheriff's COUNTY offices? (We'll get to the uniforms, ranks such as Lieutenant and more later.)

Do also note that there is a $100 fee and that it covers the first fee of "annual dues," payable yearly, at $75. For people who live in states where $20 will cover your CCW permit for four years, that might seem steep — a nice income stream for the Sheriff, no doubt.

Also, did you catch the part about how successful applicants must be "willing to contribute time, talent and treasury"? [emphasis mine]  Golly, if you'll kick in some money, maybe you can exercise your right to self-defense without fear of getting busted and slapped with a felony — how generous. Now let's look at the actual application that came with the Sheriff's letter:

What the heck do members of a political club have to do with sharing "horses, boats or airplanes" with the Sheriff's office!? Note the middle of the application form page.

Also note the use of Rupf's official seal of office on this application form for something his attorneys described in court (twice) as a "private political club". Per the letter, they may be "called upon to support the Sheriff". They're supposed to give "time, talent and treasury" to the "goals of the Sheriff" (apparently including re-election). They get "ID Cards" (not badges?), "Gold Stars", and have a swearing in ceremony (more on those later), yet they're not law enforcement of any sort?

Oh, and a lot of 'em seem to hold CCW permits — see also Appendix A.

You may have noticed the reference to "gold stars" — let me quote a description of the one available in 2000 from an actual Posse member, from his Email to me:

"There was the 2000 'commemorative' badge that was full sized, what 3 inches, maybe bigger?? 7 points, just like the regular uniform badge, saying: 'Sheriff, Contra Costa County', differing from a uniform badge in that the Calif seal in the middle is gold plated, not full color enamel, center is not the seal of the county, but rather that of Calif."

The 7 points identify it to law enforcement as an actual law enforcement insignia, yet per Rupf's letter to prospective Posse, the members "are not law enforcement officers". Hint, wink, nudge...more evidence of law enforcement privileges and trappings for the Posse will become clear later when we look at their newsletter. 

I decided to play rough.

The guy who got that set of Posse application materials lived in the wealthy enclave of Kensington, which is outside of any town Rupf has a "zero CCW agreement" with. I figured with that sort of upscale address, Rupf would just love him as a prospective Posse member.

So I had him call up Rupf's COUNTY offices, talk to his secretary, and get the date of the next Posse affair plus get more copies of the Posse application forms as above. (In fact, those forms above are copied from what he received). He then documented the results...for his privacy, his name has been deleted but you can contact my attorney David Beauvais who can confirm the authenticity of this two-page document. Following are the two pages of a signed declaration for my court case:

Busted!

If the Posse is a "private political club" in support of the Sheriff, then Rupf's personal secretary had no business knowing the date of their next social function, or how to route an application to the guy from Kensington.

This, ladies and gents, is called "misuse of county personnel and facilities for personal political ends". And it's exactly what former Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors member Gayle Bishop recently lost her job over, plus spent 30 days in the pokey. Sheriff Rupf's jail, come to think. And she was busted by DA Gary Yancey, who as we've seen is Rupf's close buddy. Yancey received campaign contributions from many of the same CCW permitholders who are also Posse as gave money to Rupf. 

NOTE: Former Contra Costa County Supervisor Gayle Bishop's convictions for misuse of public funds were related to her use of her county-paid staff and resources for her private law practice and her unsuccessful re-election campaign. Also interesting is the fact that Blackhawk Corp. was fined $26,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission in connection with contributions to Bishop — and the owner of Blackhawk is a member of Sheriff Rupf's Posse by the name of Kenneth Behring, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks.

So Rupf figured nobody was going to investigate him to the same degree Ms. Bishop was looked into...'cept he forgot about one extra investigator running around loose. 

Me.

But he's got another problem too — one of the Posse is very much in favor of widespread self defense, and happened to pass me something quite interesting: a Posse newsletter dated April-June 2001. All six pages of that document follow, with commentary…

Page one: nothing too odd, except that PD Chief Samuels of Richmond is one of the Chiefs who has requested that Rupf not issue CCW permits in his town — and Samuels clearly knows of the Posse's existence. Whether he knows of the extreme favoritism Posse members receive in CCW is as yet an open question.

The recently deceased Joe Vrankovich was a CCW permitholder. Rupf asks for volunteers for, among other things, the "dinners" — Posse dinners directly benefited Rupf's campaign fund, as you'll see in the campaign finance statements in part two.

When I complained about the favoritism in CCW issuance being shown to Posse members to my elected representatives, I was ignored. In the case of Senator Rainey, this was to be expected, he was Sheriff before Rupf and ran the Posse then. Shown here is my other elected rep, Assemblywoman Lynne Leach, partying with 'em. 

Let's see, they named a benefit event for juvenile hall inmates "Beer and Brats"?  I wonder if the kids know?

More seriously, here we have a case of a Posse member trying to pass himself off as a cop. He failed because he was drunk off his rocker, and "gilded the lily" by adding CHP insignia. Except for that, it might have worked.

At age 85, Vrankovich's rank of "Lieutenant" couldn't have been as a reservist — that's a POSSE rank. Per the 1st article, the "Marine Posse" has uniforms in which they appear in public. So the Posse has ranks, uniforms, gold stars, ID cards ("badges"), swearing-in ceremonies, easy access to gun carry…and they're not cops? Mike Zeelen holds a CCW permit.

Yo Rupf: give ME a uniform, rank, badge, gold star and legal gun carry and sure, I'll do as much "Community Policing" as you want! And apparently, all it takes is regular campaign contributions?

This is insane. Remember, Rupf keeps the Posse membership lists totally secret, not even the county has access. Yet they're some sort of "quasi cops"?

Of the Board of Directors members listed above, Challoner, Pastore, Kahane and the aforementioned (RIP) Vrankovich have (or had) CCW permits.

Now let's see how the Posse (and CCW permitholders) actually connect to Rupf's campaign finances.

 

Part Two: Campaign Contribution Data

Campaign Statement, Page 1:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

This is a typical "cover page" to each filing made with the County Elections Board. All up through the last time I checked (late 1999) looked the same, with Raynal Mayman as treasurer of the "Committee To Retain Sheriff Rupf". Even the phone numbers are probably current, except that 510 should be converted to 925.

Mayman holds a CCW permit.

Campaign Statement, Page 2:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

Here we see money coming in to Rupf from Zeelen, who we know is Posse, and Vrankovich (RIP), ditto. Both on the same date, which was a Posse dinner. Also partying and contributing: DA Gary Yancey.

You're going to ask me how I know 3/31/93 was a Posse Dinner, right? See next page…

Campaign Statement, Page 3:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

This is how.

The DeVincenzi family owns a local chain of gourmet delicatessens (the Genova Delis). John Sr. (RIP) and John Jr. are CCW permitholders.

Now, according to the Posse newsletter's eulogy to Vrankovich (page 5 of the Posse newsletter), Vrankovich was one of the two co-sponsors of the long-running "Vrankovich/DeVincenzi Posse Dinners". Makes sense, as Vrankovich was an executive at a meat company and the DeVincenzis had the delis.

But after this one reference to the DeVincenzis financing a dinner back in 1993, there are NO other major contributions on this scale recorded in later campaign finance filings.

It would appear that the DeVincenzis and Vrankovich sponsored the dinners "for the Posse" as an organization, instead of recording it all as donations to Rupf as they did back in 1993.

I don't know if this violates campaign finance rules, but someone more qualified should certainly look into the possibility. A copy of this will go to the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Campaign Statement, Page 4:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

More money from Zeelen and Yancey, in 1998.

Campaign Statement, Page 5:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

Here's money going from Rupf's campaign OUT to the Posse. Interesting. Note the Posse's mailing address, you'll see that again…

Campaign Statement, Page 6:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

Here's more Rupf campaign money going out the door. Note the address of the "Sheriff's Charities Inc." — same as the Posse's address, previous page.

Now, a cynic might ask whether the money is being properly separated between political org (the Posse) and charitable purposes…but it probably is, there are too many otherwise reasonable people in the Posse for something that ugly to go un-noticed.

The point is, the $700 that went to the Posse by name went for political purposes, because if it had been intended for charity it would have gone to the Sheriff's own charity, instead.

In other words, it's further evidence of how deeply tied to the Sheriff's electoral politics the Posse is.

Campaign Statement, Page 7:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

This is interesting — the Posse went and rented a hall specifically for a Rupf campaign fundraiser, and Rupf paid 'em back. Nothing wrong with that, but yet again it shows deep ties between Rupf's electoral politics and the Posse. 

And that in turn raises harsh questions about why Rupf's secretary was able to provide the dates and times of Posse events to callers, and direct a Posse applications set to his mailbox.

Campaign Statement, Page 8:
Horizontal (for viewing online)

Mayman is a permitholder, and Posse. 

Mongsene is now retired; at one point in the mid-1990s he was a Lt. In the Sheriff's department who Rupf assigned the task of "initial CCW screening"…later that went to Lt. Wayne Willett and now somebody name of Varady.

Approximately 1996 a business owner who lives in Lafayette called the Sheriff's office and asked about CCW issuance. Mongsene told the guy to join the Sheriff's Posse if he wanted any chance at all.

(Sidenote on campaign finance laws: per county rules, $225 is the max donation in a non-election year. So Mayman got his wife to contribute too. As for Olney, a total of 8 or 9 different relatives and/or Olney employees all "contributed" in their names on this date — odds are it was really all the owner's money just creatively split. Just like the DeVincenzi contribution of almost $1900 worth of chow — they ran out of relatives to split the total among, and used three employees…who I somehow doubt cared very much about Sheriff Rupf's political career. In other words, it's easy to make up these dumb rules, but it doesn't take much creativity to bypass 'em either.)


APPENDIX A: Rupf Permitholder Database, Circa Early 2000

Version 4.0, cleaned up, page numbers added plus endnotes with some legal technicalities.

Compiled 8/21/01 by James March 

Names and case file info is derived from Rupf's response to Chuck Michel's PRAR request of early 2000. Rupf withheld this data in the Fed trial of 2001, we were forced to use the older data, consisting of over 750 pages of mildly redacted (by Rupf or his staff) original CCW application/renewal file info.

Methodology: each multi-page record in the Michel response was examined and the permitholder name compared to the rosters of permitholders dated 5/24/2001. 

Their information is summarized in the table linked below. Therefore, this table will be incomplete in that it doesn't cover new permit issuance between the time of the Michel response and 5/24/01. This table is also limited purely to current (as of 5/24/2001) permitholders. 

Note: the "first issued" date refers to the first date I can find in the file, and in many cases the oldest forms for that person are missing or incomplete. Permits may be older than as listed. If there's no first date on the file, I refer to the 5/24/2001 PRAR data. 

City of residence generally isn't listed because it's wildly inaccurate in all Rupf sources. Somebody with an address of "Martinez" for example may live many miles outside the town borders. 

"Numbering" refers to the page number where that applicant's file begins. 

Permit types: 12027i refers to the shall-issue system for retired Fed agents. Standard/Std is the normal type, "Judge" is obvious, and 
"Reserves" mean a reserve deputy for the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office UNLESS some other department is noted. 

Some pages were discarded as irrelevant; we have saved these and will make them available to defense counsel upon request. The pages set aside included shooting range qualification data, sign-off sheets showing that the applicant understands the process, and renewal applications where the renewal pages did not contain any "new information" beyond the contents of the original app and the current permit card itself. In some cases the renewal sheets were retained in the file because they were the only data available, or the renewal sheet expanded on info available in the app, or the renewal sheet showed a change in occupation (or "life circumstances") from the original application time. Examples of the types of pages set aside can be found in pages 743-747 — it is Plaintiff's firm belief that these pages are irrelevant to the charge of equal protection violations or it's defense. 

Not one renewal form page ever contained revised "good cause data" from the original issuance. 

APPENDIX A: Rupf Permitholder Database, Circa Early 2000

Page number

Name

First Issued

Permit Type

"Good Cause Summary"

Posse?

Misc Info/Notes

4

William Bruce Plummer

1975

Standard

Carries cash related to his photography business (owner).

YES

He also had CCW in Ohio based on a "special deputy status" with no actual law enforcement duties…very similar to the Posse.

10

Frank Edward Nunes Jr.

1996

Std

Needs to defend his cattle ranch, which he owns and resides at.  Of course, being his "home and place of business", he already has carry rights.  This same PRAR response in the "good cause" area for Steve Jacobsen was heavily redacted; not so for  the Michel PRAR response of early '2000.  In Rupf's 5/24/2001 permitholder database printout, occupation is "consultant".

YES

Nephew of Frank Pereira, known to be politically connected and a former UnderSheriff and current Posse member and permitholder. References included both Frank and John Pereira, Jack Roddy, Bob Chapman

14

Richard Earnest Tirrell

1975?

Std

"Night work, violent crime area", he is a doctor and a nurse was robbed in the hospital parking lot. Posse membership listed in the "good cause" statement!

YES

  

19

Lois Haight

1995

Judge

Judge - modest good cause listed

  

Listed as reference by Thomas Van Voorhis, #23

23

Thomas Van Voorhis

1998

Std

This is somebody Willett denied in 1998 due to no good cause, so he appealed to Rupf by letter with very weak "good cause" and a long list of Judges and politicians as "character references" - classic "CCW by connections".

  

Thomas Van Voorhis was on a first-name basis with the staff of former state senator Rainey.  I filed a complaint with Rainey's office about Rupf's CCW abuse, they mentioned "Thomas" as a frequent visitor.  Related to attorney Dan Van Voorhis, attorney for  Kenneth Eugene Behring entry #526

28

Frank Pereira

1964

Std

Unknown good cause - old permit, "good cause" papers long since lost, gets renewed anyways.  He's a former UnderSheriff political appointee back in the '60s, but wasn't a sworn peace officer hence the need for CCW.

YES

Politically connected - note the pattern of "very old permit and renewals despite no "good cause on file".  You'll see more of that.

32

William Albert Riley Jr.

1986 - but see notes

Std.

"My wife is in a wheelchair, we're old, we use ATMs" - accurate paraphrase of applicant's own handwritten "good cause statement".

  

This was a renewal; he had a permit while living in Kingsburg, CA 93631, Fresno County (which is highly restrictive).  PRAR response printout lists him starting in 1995

37

Walter Joseph Pastore

?

Std

"I have to be in SF and other high crime areas at night" - accurate paraphrase.

YES

Pastore is prominently mentioned in Rupf's campaign fund records.

40

John Lee Pereira

?

Std

None listed.  Former "special deputy Sheriff"

YES

Son of Frank Pereira, Posse, related to Frank Nunes Jr, Posse

42

Joseph Randall Mass

1984

Std

None listed - forms are present, good cause statement area is blank!

    

46

Kim Fang (RIP)

1989

Std

None listed.  When he died, media reports listed his "good cause" as being related to telephone death threats however he had switched both residence and career since initial permit issuance.  Media reports of his death widely mentioned Posse membership.

YES

The PRAR response to Michel was done before Fang died.  Fang donated at least $700 in recorded campaign donations to Rupf and more than that to Rainey when he was Sheriff and approved Fang's permit.

48

Robert Henry Martinez

1990

Std

He's a "Sr. VP of Marketing" for "Eagle Food Service".  Good cause (paraphrased) adds up to "on the road late at night, takes his daughter to sporting events across the state (horse-related)".  Wealth involved in issuance?

    

56

Owen McNiel Schafer

1982

Std

The entire "good cause" section reads: "Self Protection".  (He may be a former reservist, see also entry page 66 (Christopher Young) below for what may be a similar case.)

    

60

Jamieson Bitzer Bates

1999

Std.

Turned down by Willett for lack of good cause, writes four-page rant on the general state of crime plus constitutional rights, and is personally approved by Rupf.  I don't disagree, point is Rupf would never have issued to a peon on that basis.

  

Mike Haas met this gent at a political event where Haas was speaking; Bates had much praise for Rupf's CCW policies.  This and Van Voorhis establish Willett's involvement in bias.

66

Christopher Young

1995

Reserve

Good cause listed as "Self Protection".  That may be standard for reservists?

  

As long as they're still IN the reserves this makes at least some sense.  But we have cases on record where they keep the permit even after leaving reserves.

69

Alex Clyde Smith

1981

Reserve

None - it says "issued pursuant to reserve policy" and "will be revoked on leaving the reserves".  Well if that’s the case, and numbers 56 and 66 above were reservists from the same period, #56 kept his permit post-reserve.

    

73

Michael Stephen Telfer

1995

Std

"Travel, including through violent areas with young daughter and luxury car".  Accurate paraphrase.  Owner of "Telfer/Sheldon Oil Company".

  

Rupf probably saw big potential for campaign money.

78

Ernest Terry

1968

Std

Good cause not present (forms missing, typical of older permits).  Occupation: owns a cocktail lounge.

  

Permit expired…he may have died or moved?

81

Frank Joseph Thelen

1970

Std

Here's a good one.  He was manager of a slaughterhouse, and had a permit for "personal protection and handling bank deposits".  OK, fine…but he's still being reissued, even though he's now a teacher at a community college?

    

83

John Peter Toth MD

1970

Std

Good cause: "self defense" - that's the whole text

    

86

Wayne Roy Tulnage

1978

Std

Some kind of HazMat specialist - had a brief encounter with two guys who he thought was watching him take money away from a safe.

    

91

Joseph Lewis Venturino

1994

Std

Gunsmith transporting guns/money

    

95

Ernest C. Voight

1994

Std

Real estate person of some sort, drives alone to properties in Nevada.

    

99

James Von Waldegg

1961

Std

Mortgage Banker - no good cause listed.

    

101

Joseph Domenic Vrankovich

1976

Std

VP of the Oakland Meat Company needs general protection, I guess due to wealth?  He has a sense of humor - on the old form asking for "prior criminal problems that make you seek a permit" he hand-wrote "not yet".

YES

This gent just died, per the Posse newsletter.  Also per that document (page 5)he had held the rank of "Lieutenant" in the Posse, but at age 85 he clearly wasn't a reservist.

107

Denis M. Weigand

1987

Std

Owns a vending company, carries money

    

111

Claude Samuel Whitson

1968

Std

Physician - no good cause listed (forms missing)

    

114

Donald Aubrey Williamson

1959!

Std

Rancher - good cause is "self protection" (entire text)

    

117

Michael Lee Wynn

1994

Std

Physician - moderate good cause relating to control of drug supplies, prescriptions, disability signoffs.

    

121

Raymond Frank Zaharis

1968

Std

Owner of the Oakland Meat Company, Vrankovich's boss (#101 above).  Other than that, no good cause listed…forms missing, lost in the mists of time.

#101 was.

  

124

John Domenic Devincenzi

1989

Std

Transports money relating to family chain of Delis.

YES

There's always been at least one member of this family with a permit at any one time, for many years.  This family has given over $3,000 to Rupf's campaign funds, and caters Posse dinners.

128

George Robert Martin

1993

Std

Owns business, ex-employee threatened to go postal, plus he responds to the alarm late sometimes.

    

132

Dennis Robert Ladd

1993

Std

Business owner, three parts stores, two in bad neighborhoods.  He had a pretty good list of police reports relating to vandalism, robbery, break-ins.

  

Decent good cause - but being a business owner helps…

137

Eugene Reyes Abuan

1974

Reserve

Seems to have scored CCW before joining reserves.  No good cause statements of any sort in file.

    

139

Ralph John Alvarado

1994

Std

Manages a welfare fraud investigations unit for the county social services department.  Has very strong good cause related to a psycho ex-employee, documented very well.

  

We have no way of knowing how many "regular folks" in circumstances just as dire were denied…esp. if they lived in a town with it's own PD.

146

Joseph John Ambrosino

1985

Std

Geologist by trade, also has rental properties, claims tenants being thrown out threaten to kill him.

    

150

Armand Albert Annereau

1972

Std

Owns an auto upholstery shop in a "dark secluded area", carries cash.

  

This is specifically the type of good cause Varady said was inadequate to the Contra Costa Times.

152

Leonard Lewis Battaglia

1971

Std

Owns a liquor store

    

154

Roger Lee Becker

1973

Std

Originally he was the asst. manager of a sporting goods store and took money to the bank.  He has switched to some unspecified "self employed", no details.

    

156

Robert William Betti

1974

Std

Originally got permit restricted to the times he was carrying money relating to his plumbing business. That restriction has been lifted some time since.  He's still in that trade.

    

158

Guy Henry Black

1969

Std

Contractor, something to do with radio/TV broadcast antennae, works in remote areas.  Weak.

    

161

Ernest W. Blee

1965

Std

Civil engineer, no good cause listed.

    

163

Robert Hayden Chapman

1974

Std

Rancher - no good cause listed, forms missing.

YES

Chapman was a reference on the Nunes application, alongside the Pereiras.

165

Francis J. Castle Jr.

1993

Std

Owns "Castle Fine Arts" in SF, other than that no good cause is in the file (the forms that would have it are gone).

    

167

Salvatore Cardinale

1980

Std.

Farmer - "for protection of large sums of money".

    

170

William Allen Davis

1997

Std

Owns some sort of business, can't make out the name.  Paperwork is particularly sketchy for a Rupf-era initial permit, all forms that would have good cause on 'em are gone.  Yet there's been at least three renewals, the latest early in '99.

    

172

Gail Anthony DeMartini (male)

1984

Std

A stockbroker whose stated "good cause" was for protection while at a remote ranch in Calaveras County.  There was a more detailed letter, now missing.

  

Note that the permit was NOT geographically or otherwise restricted.

177

Angelo Dimaggio

1974

Std

Owner of a business called "Elegant Floors", no good cause statement papers, as normal for files this old.

    

180

Michael Edward Donnelly

1997

Std.

Same as #170 - business owner, sketchy paperwork, multiple renewals since.  ALL original papers gone, along with good cause, not common for Rupf-initial-issued permit..

  

Very odd.  Steve Jacobsen filed a PRAR on Rupf in 1997 - it's possible Rupf's people started realizing there was damaging stuff in these files around that time, and purged 'em?

182

Lawrence Delmore Durbin

1975

Std

Sketchy papers, no good cause info, he used to be the head custodian for a local school district, and as of 1998 he was retired and still being renewed.

  

Some sort of connections involved.

185

Robert August Edelman

1995

Std

Business owner, was dealing with petty crimes near his warehouse, and when he made contracting housecalls he dealt with criminal-class people (he referred to a house as having guns and drugs exposed in the living room).

    

187

William Ellis

1999

Std

Doctor, runs multiple offices, deposits cash.

    

189

Giovanni N. Epifani

1978

Std

Owns a Ferarri dealership/repair shop, travels with race cars.

    

194

Michael Geary Farrell

1972

Reserve

He's been a reservist the whole time he's held CCW.

  

As usual with reserves, no "good cause"

196

Douglas Lovejoy Faulkner

1977

Std

He's a sales engineer for "steam specialties", and travels to Richmond, where "punks" of some sort threw rotten veggies at his car four years ago.  Weak.

    

200

David Allen Flori

1971

Std

No good cause records.  When he first obtained CCW, he was a frozen foods salesman, now he's in sheet metal somehow.

    

202

Dale Allen Frost

1992

Std

Real estate investor, goes to "low rent" areas.

    

206

Barton Jay Gilbert

1997

Std

He's a Brigadier General in the US Army Reserves, and is sometimes connected with drug task force operations.  Not bad as far as "good cause".

    

210

Frank Wendel Greer

1971

Std

Masonry contract estimator, carries large sums of cash for banking and payroll?  Which doesn't make much sense…that's not what you'd expect an estimator to do.

    

213

Joel H. Golub

1993

Judge

Court commissioner, good cause relates to that.

    

217

George James Grover Jr.

1990

Std

Good cause is "we live in a remote area of Orinda, have lots of money, art and valuables, and we travel to art shows".

    

221

Roger Marion Gorrell Sr.

1975

Std

Employed originally as a PI for an investigative agency, now "self employed", job title not specified.

    

227

George Charles Heitman

1990

Std

Attorney, does family law practice and had specific threats.  Strong good cause case.

    

233

Roger Dale Henderson

1973

Std

Owns auto parts store, takes cash to the bank.

    

236

Andrew Claude Higgins

1994

Std

Internal security and executive protection, employed by Bank of America

    

240

Joseph Hisquierdo

1998

Std

Private Investigator/bodyguard/POST course instructor

    

243

William Albert Howard

1994

Std

Construction foreman, takes payroll to remote sites.

    

247

Deborah Michael Jacob

1997

Std

Senior security manager for Bechtel, internal corporate bodyguard.

    

250

Wayne Edward Jackson

1985

Std

Gun shop owner, sells full-auto machine guns to PDs. Needs to be able to defend same from being stolen.

    

254

Alexander Williams Jason

1985

Std

PI, plus carries cash to sporting events he manages.

    

259

Kenneth Allen Krohn

1991

Std

Other than occupation listed as "repossessor", no good cause statement, very skimpy file.

    

261

Michael Patrick Keenan

1983

Std

Corporate security, loss prevention for Ross stores.  Originally scored CCW while doing the same for Macy's.

    

266

Richard Jacob Karnes

1970

Std

Something to do with an auto wreckers - owner?  Most of the old paperwork and good cause data missing.

    

270

Dennis Spencer Kahane

1996

Reserve

Good cause mentions working late with "most unsavory" (his words) people hanging out in the parking lot - he's an attorney.

  

Kahane in an official in the Posse.

273

Robert Denny Laurence

1992

Reserve

Good cause relates to being a reservist.

    

278

Christian August Lauritzen III

1985

Reserve

Original CCW issued because the guy runs a yacht harbor.

  

I wonder if Rupf judges wealth purely by the applicant's name?

282

Lowell Stanley Lawrence

1979

Std

Security and executive protection for PG&E (his employer).

  

Considering PG&E's current popularity, I'd assume he's pretty busy.

286

James Donald Lee

1972

Std

Sells guns and tear gas to police departments, at least back in '72.  Current permit lists occupation as "sales".

    

289

James Robert Lobb

1996

Std

Occupation on most recent permit is "salesman", ALL original papers missing including "good cause".

    

292

David Arthur Long

1972

Std

Attorney in his original papers…no other good cause, and he's now retired.

  

Especially interesting.  Original papers are marked "transfer", good cause left blank.  The guy has had continuous renewals since, and at NO time has the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office ever had a good cause statement for him on file.  And now post-retirement, CCW is STILL being treated as a "tenured position".  Equal protection violation.

294

Michael James Lorenzo

1998

Std

All original "good cause" papers and documents from the original 1998 application are missing, odd for something so recent.  lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana;'>Occupation: P.I.

    

296

Walter Lloyd Lyall

See note!

Std

Runs a security company now; back in 1970 was involved in a home/apartment maintenance company.

  

The oldest papers from 1970 are for a renewal.  As with #80, Rupf never had good cause data for this guy, ever?

299

Michael George McDermott

1972

Std

Owns small business, carries cash to bank.

    

302

David John McIntyre

1992

Std

Employed in corporate security, department director.

    

306

David Ewing Maclellan

1979

Std

Owns a construction company, carries cash to $8k, and had death threats from a violent ex-employee.

    

311

George Kevin Mallett

1993

Std

Attorney, also a Judge Pro-Tem and Superior Court arbitrator.

    

316

William E. March

1971

Std

Originally a county animal control officer, now retired.

  

I'm not related to him so far as I'm aware.

318

Ronald Pete Massei

1998

Std

He owns a restaurant and a vending machine company, works late and transports cash.

    

320

Raynal James Mayman

1978

Std

He's a financial manager with Bechtel, described as "a major multinational firm that does business in "world hot-spots" such as Iran, South Africa, the middle east, etc and the company is a target of anti-nuke people, environmentalists, etc." (paraphrased) and therefore he's at risk.  As a financial specialist, he probably never leaves this area on business, if Bechtel gets targeted it'll be overseas.

YES

Mayman is treasurer of Rupf's campaign fund, and seems to have held that position throughout Rupf's tenure as Sheriff.

325

Paul Euper Meadors

1968

Std

Owns a restaurant chain.

    

328

Jack Mattew Metez

1961

Std

Former building contractor, now retired, no good cause papers in the file.

  

Another case of "tenure", no good cause needed.

331

Louis Maximillian Meunier

1994

Std

President of Macy's West(!).  Claims to be well-known for pushing prosecution of rioters in SF that were active after the Rodney King verdicts.

  

What are the odds this gent's wealth and social status had something to do with permit issuance?

335

Frank Louis Middleton

1988

Std

Owns a welding supply business, carries cash, etc.

    

340

John D. Milano

1985

Std

Chiropractor, gave story about his mother's house getting broken into and her purse stolen, so despite not living with her, somehow his gun is going to help her.

  

Rupf should have issued the CCW to granny!

344

Sandra Ford Mock

1994

Std

Attorney, received threats related to a case

    

348

John Andrew Montagh

1974

Reserve

No good cause data; this gent is Rupf's Rangemaster and from what I've heard separately, very competent at it.

  

He doesn't appear to be a "roadblock" in the CCW process.  Probably generally pro-CCW.  How much he knows about bias/elitism/etc is another question, might be interesting to get him into depositions?

350

Charles James Morehouse

1973

Std

Attorney, "needs to be on the street with his police clients".

  

He's now with a different law firm, it's unlikely he has the same needs as in '73.

353

Robert Anthony Nadol Jr.

1970

Std

Originally a truck dispatcher (with the Teamsters Union?), now in construction - the only "good cause" statement was "self protection".

  

No "good cause" details ever on file with this guy.  I smell a politically connected individual.

357

Tarchieso Joe Piastrelli

1969

Std

Now retired, was in sheet metal, good cause missing from file.

    

360

David Pearsall Platter

1969

Std

Current permit has occupation as "Finance", back in '69 he was a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch, still works for that company in some capacity.  No good cause on file.

    

363

Calvin Vincent Porter

1968

Std

In '68, he was into carpet sales and was a full-time fireman.  Occupation today is "Sales", and no good cause data is in the file.

    

366

Garry Joseph Russello

1994

Std

Owns Pacific Electrical Supply Inc, claims to have to fire people sometimes, and they get disgruntled.

    

371

Walter Rosenkranz

1988

Std

Dentist does 24hour emergency care, and has access to drugs.

    

375

Joseph Petere Remiti

1979

Std

Carries money to buy Corvette parts and cars as part of his hobby.

  

Sounds politically connected.

380

Jack J. Sarver

1995

Std

Retired; as of 1995 he was doing some estate jewelry sales on the side, claimed an undocumented attempted robbery.  Don't know if he still does this as a retiree.

  

Compare this to Derek Westfall's case - Derek couldn't get full documentation out of Orinda PD so he gets shot down.

383

Leo Saunders

1991

Std

Real estate, and does rent collection for property management purposes, so carries cash.

    

387

Darrell Santos

1998

Std

Works in investigations for PacBell, coordinated wiretaps and testifies in state and Fed court.  Claims to have received threats for that stuff.

  

Transferred from Alameda Sheriff's Office.

390

Maurice Herbert Rose

1991

Std

Self employed coin and precious metals dealer at shows, transporting valuables.

    

395

Thomas Michael Powers

1978

Std

Live one!  Scored CCW while a member of the CC County Board of Supes, talked about having to go mix with his constituents(!).  Also an attorney who handles estate sales, etc.

YES

This guy was known for his strongly anti-gun ways while in office(!) as was his wife who was on the Richmond city council.  Hypocrites!

400

Edward Gerow Symmons

1997

Std

Business owner, carries cash, business not named - odd

  

Most list businesses owned.

403

Thomas Andrew Sutak

1982

Std

VP of a security company, does executive protection

    

408

John Dean Shipley

1961

Std

Retiree today; at time of issuance, was a machinist and did some gunsmithing and shooting instruction.  No good cause statement on file.

    

411

Joseph Siino

1971

Std

Attorney (still practices).  Statement in 1971: "Carry large sums, also represent different types of people" (exact quote).  Now, to my knowledge, there's just one type of people on the planet, now that Neanderthals are extinct…

    

414

Gary Allen Smith

1972

Std

Owns an auto body shop, good cause: "self protection and large sums of money" (exact quote).

    

417

Harold Bernard Smith Jr.

1964

Std

Owns retail stores - no good cause data on record.

    

420

Ronald L. Smith

1997

12027i

Former cop, deputy and FBI said he wanted to break into executive protection.

    

422

Timothy Charles Smith

1993

Std

Runs retail insurance biz, takes cash to bank.

    

426

William H. Smits Jr.

1994

12027i

Former FBI, 23 years, "to protect myself from the people I busted" (paraphrase).

    

430

Roy Douglas Snelson

1973

Std

In '73 he was a "garage foreman", no good cause is listed anywhere, and his latest renewal has the "occupation" area deliberately masked out.

    

433

Michael Stephen Stone

1977

Std

PI/bodyguard.

    

439

Robert Warren Nagle

1984

Std

CPA, transports cash for one accounting client.

  

Does he still have that client? 

445

Erik Strand

1993

Reserve

Reserves is sole good cause.

    

460

Roger L. Draper

1999

Reserve

Good cause relates to reserves, he does some work as a jailer in Martinez, worries about revenge by ex-inmates.

    

463

Stanley Edwin Gutman

1996

Std

Wealthy corporate attorney, travels through SF, poor delicate flower.

    

467

Richard Charles Dubruille

198?

12027

Retired FBI, now a PI.

  

This is the guy that put "Walnut Creek PD doesn't issue any permits" in his application.  He had no reason to lie.

471

John Walter Challoner

1999

Std

This one's important.  No good cause data.  Thing is, this guy transferred in from Clayton PD, approved by Lt. Willett 2/2/99.  Clayton PD told a different applicant that they don't issue at all, in 1996.  And this guy is a VP in Seeno Construction - Mr. Seeno holds a CCW, and Seeno is definitely Posse.

99.9% certain

Seeno is deeply connected to DA Gary Yancey, now retiring due to cancer.

473

Tom Butterfield

1992

Std

Union district representative when issued, good cause was "Do business and attend social functions with my wife and sometimes my children in high crime areas of Contra Costa County" (verbatim!). Now he's retired, and a pathetic effort was made to cover that up (see the Michel file record pages 473-478).

  

Politically connected!

479

Phillip Eugene Bradshaw

1962

Std

No good cause data in file.  Original occupation was as a salesman for International Harvester - now retired.

  

Another "tenure case"

482

Leonard Raymond Orr

1967

Std

No good cause on file, continuous renewals, he's a GOLF PRO?

    

485

Roger Denton Working

1994

Std

"Protection while traveling in high crime areas ie: Richmond, West Oakland, East San Jose" (verbatim!).

  

Remember, Richmond is a specific zero-CCW zone - if you live there!  Richmond was blocked by agreement between Rupf and all the PDs in the county, where Rupf wouldn't issue in towns plus Richmond's Chiefs have always been anti-CCW.

488

Norbert Young

199

Std

Specific claimed threats that add up to fairly strong good cause, no documentation on it.

  

He may be a Richmond resident, uncertain without knowing the street address.

490

Marinus Zeelen

1994

Std

Realtor; claim of a specific criminal threat plus "carries cash" (business related?).

YES

  

495

John Maitland Lauderdale

1961

Std

Retired as of 1998; original good cause missing, as of 1971 he was an "account executive" for an electrical sign company.

  

Another "tenure case"

498

Edward L. Kronick

1969

Std

Doctor; no good cause statement, records missing.

    

502

Steven Mark Elefant

1991

Std

Occupation on current permit is "Executive", good cause statement is missing…there was an attached letter that he referred to in his 1991 application, now missing.

    

508

Paul Thomas DiGaudio

1971

Std

Occupation: psychiatrist; good cause related to carrying of money?

  

How many people pay shrinks in cash?

511

Barton Randy Blumberg

1990

Std

Oral Surgeon.  His good cause statement talked about bad areas, and protecting drug supplies, however…

  

His personal letter to Rainey talks about what a good shot he is, and mentions his shooting buddies: John Montagh (the rangemaster), John Dashner(?) and - WARREN RUPF prior to his election to Sheriff.  Very Connected.

518

Edward Joseph Amarant

1967

Std

Occupation is "sales", all good cause data missing from sketchy file.  Oldest doc in the file is a 1971 renewal, the "1967" date comes from Rupf's database printout.

    

521

Donald A. Stewart

1983

Std

Currently retired; all original good cause papers missing.  Don't even know what his original occupation was.

    

524

Bradford True Prescott

1992

Std

Physician - no original permit app forms in the file, no good cause, no nuthin'.

    

526

Kenneth Eugene Behring

1992

Std

Occupation is "investor", the complete good cause statement is "high profile…need protection".  Works for "Blackhawk Corp" in CCW application file…

  

Scratch "works for" - Ken Behring not only owns "Blackhawk Investments", he also owned the Seattle Seahawks NFL team fairly recently, owns the Behring auto museum, and he personally built the city of Blackhawk.  During the political wars surrounding the Blackhawk development, his attorney was Dan Van Voorhis, related to current permitholder and crony Thomas Van Voorhis.  Ken Behring is a multi-billionaire, one of the richest men in Contra Costa County, and it's interesting that the phrasing of the application sought to mask this.

531

Nelson Buck McAfee

1989

Std

CEO of the Oakland Meat Company, originally scored CCW because he was the Chief Financial Officer and did bank deposits but with the job title change, that "good cause" is gone now.  Doesn't matter, he's an aristocrat, right?

  

We know of two other permitholders (#101 and #121) connected with that corp.  Permit application was witnessed by Vrankovich, #101, who's known Posse.

539

Gregory Allen Reese

1997

Std

This guy works for his parent's political consulting business; he leads teams of canvassers into "bad areas" and many of his team members are women.

  

Think about this: wouldn't it be greatly to Rupf's benefit to have THIS sort of person "owe him one"?  And of course, people who LIVE in the bad areas are blanket-denied.

542

James P. Muglie

1998

Std

Occupation is blank.  Original application form is present, but good cause is BLANK.

  

This one is really odd…Rupf renewed him on 5/7/99, not long after I sued him.  Rupf had to be at least peripherally thinking about "good cause" and equal protection?  Yet he signs off on this?

545

Ann B. Moriarty

?

Std

Property Manager; there's no good cause statements, no original applications paperwork, and she's not in the database that covers original dates of issuance.

    

547

Stephen James Mikich

1999

Std

Business manager, lame good cause involving "contact with large sums of money" and "travel through high crime areas".

  

Application was witnessed by Frank Pereira, known Posse.

549

Melvin D. McCollough

1972

Std

Now retired; used to be a warehouse foreman, original 1972 form is present but with "Good cause" was BLANK

    

552

Donald Lee McCulley

1972

Std

Originally he was VP and sales manager of a manufacturing company.  He now runs his own manufacturer's rep sales firm; good cause involves business cash.  His 1972 letter to the Sheriff lists the UnderSheriff as a personal character reference.

  

Definitely a connected individual.

556

Robert Leon Hawkins

1978

Std

Former cop, now a PI.

  

If he retired, it would be a 12027-type permit? (12027 is a shall-issue system).

561

Stanley Joseph Hennessey

1993

12027i

Retired FBI

    

566

John James Jonopulos

1993

Reserve

Good cause relates to reserves.

    

571

Stephen J. Limrite

1993

Reserves

Reserves

    

576

Ilir Nushi

1996

Reserves

Reserves

    

579

Robert William Parkins

1993

?

Originally reserves, obtained CCW purely on that basis, but now he's NOT and still has a permit!?

    

584

Dennis Ray Prasch

1996

12027i

Former FBI

    

586

John Parker Roland

1994

12027i

Former FBI, now PI

    

591

Gene Edgar Ross

1998

Reserves

Reserves

    

593

John T. Rotolo

1988

Reserves

Reserves

    

598

Lowell Edwin Richards

1995

Std

Attorney, Judge Pro-Tem and does security(?).

    

601

William Arthur Rice

1995

Reserves

Reserves (Alameda County SO).

    

606

Carl N. Reynolds

1998

12027i

Former FBI

    

608

Robert Randolph Rockwell

1974

12027i

Odd case - he first obtained CCW off from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office as a private security guard, then went into the FBI for a long time, and on coming out applied under 12027i.  Doesn't matter much, just odd.

    

611

Kevin Blair Thomas

1998

Std

Prosecutor, Alameda County DA's office.

    

613

Bobby Dwain Thomson

1999

Std

Internal security and executive protection for Bank of America.

    

615

Benedict James Tisa

1996

12027i

Former FBI

    

618

David Jon Travers

1995

Reserves

Reserves

    

621

William C. Vencill

1993

Std

Attorney, former cop with Concord PD, "runs into people he busted" (paraphrase).  Had a letter of support from the CPD Chief, now missing.

    

625

John R. Verducci

1969

Std

Barber shop owner - good cause statement not present.

    

627

Albert Kaye Watts

1983

Reserves

Reserves

    

632

Walter Mills Welti

1988

Reserves

Reserves

    

637

Vincent Joseph Weltz

1998

12027i

Retired FBI

    

639

Dirk Peter Walzien

1999

Std

Restaurant owner, takes money to bank, threats from violent/crazy ex-employees.

    

641

Ronald A. Witney

1995

12027i

Retired FBI

    

645

James D. Wilson Jr.

1998

12027i

Retired FBI

    

647

Owen Kieth Yeager

1971

Std

Originally scores CCW as reserve, retained CCW after leaving reserves.  Occupation is blanked out on latest permit.

    

650

Richard Albert Zarzana

1990

12027i

Retired Fed Secret Service

    

658

Robert Allen Fink

1989

Std

Trauma room neurosurgeon; has testified as to the nature of injuries inflicted by criminals and is not popular in certain low-rent circles as a result.

  

Decent good cause statement

664

Edgar Leon Aitken

1999

Std

Financial consultant and auditor, claims that this makes him unpopular at times.  Also claims to carry money.

.

Moved in from Napa, where he had CCW for 15 years.  Mentioned that the Napa Sheriff would act as a reference.

667

James Hugh Anderson

1978

Std

Assistant DA, deals with gang prosecution.

    

673

Stephen Keith April

1988

Std

Fire/arson investigator, local fire district.

  

Decent good cause

679

M. Donald Bellew

1978

Std

Former cop in New Jersey; employed as internal security and executive protection for World Airways, which if I recall right, is now defunct?  Current occupation is listed as "security mgr."

    

685

John Felix Bessols

1998

Std

Owns 100 apartment units, collects rent, takes cash to bank.

    

687

Edward George Borden

1996

Reserves

Reserves - Berkeley PD.

    

690

Wilfred Carnell Broom

1994

Reserves

Marin probation officer and has deputy powers somehow connected with the Marin Sheriff.

    

693

Robert Duran Burke

1994

Std

Deputy DA assigned to a gang task force.

    

700

Bruce Murray Croskey

1984

12027i

Former Deputy US Marshal, now getting threats.

    

705

Carl Herrick Critz

1999

Std

Pathologist, testifies about cases, had letter of reference from the San Joachin County Sheriff - who mentioned Critz as being Contra Costa Sheriff's Posse.

YES

Remember, Rupf's lawyer was on record in court on 12/22/99 saying that the Posse is a private political club whose membership lists should be sealed.

708

Janet Candis Collins

1999

Reserves

Reserves

    

710

Ernest A. Clausen

?

Reserves

Reserves - paperwork particularly sketchy.

    

712

Paul L. Cianciarulo

1999

Std

Occupation is "estimator manager", good cause is "I'm a former cop, I may run into people I busted" (paraphrased).

    

716

John Robert Davison

1971

Std

Original good cause: "hardware salesman on the road a lot with valuables", occupation today is listed as "sales".

    

719

Gerald B. Diedrich

1996

12027i

Retired FBI

    

724

Fred T. Fiedler

1994

12027i

Retired FBI

    

729

Michael Abram Garduno

1996

12027i

Retired FBI

    

731

Grady Lee Goldman

1990

Std

Criminology lab technician/manager, testifies in court, needs protection.

    

735

Thomas Lewis Hauschild

1999

Reserves

Reserves - former full-time deputy, now a firefighter.

    

737

Michael Chance

1983

Std

Retail gun shop owner.

    

743-747

      

These are examples of pages from the file Rupf supplied Chuck Michel that Plaintiffs and counsel have set aside as being not relevant to the subject of equal protection.

    

 

Additional Notes

The 12027-based permits shouldn't even be in here. That's a separate system for former law enforcement of various types — 12027i covers former Feds. Now, I'm not ready to call 12027 an equal protection violation, because to do so, I'd have to challenge the idea that cops get armaments and carry rights beyond what "us peons" get. A purist might say that, and with some constitutional backing but that's a complexity beyond what I need to deal with. 

By including 12027 cases, Rupf gains by "watering down" the percentage of "cronies" listed. Let's say there's a total of 100 Posse members with CCW (which is very conservative!). If there's 244 permits total active today, then the Posse percentage is bad, but possibly survivable. But if out of 244 total, 50 or more are 12027, then the REAL Posse percentage is higher — 100 is a higher percentage of 190 than it is 244.

Problem: it's not at all clear that records under 12027 are public! They weren't covered under CBS vs. Block, and with their shall-issue status, equal protection is less of an issue. I'm not at all harmed if I'm denied info on them. 

Last, this file is very incomplete. There were over 230 permits outstanding at the time this PRAR was answered, over a dozen of these in the above database are expired, so there were at least 40 or so files totally missing when this was answered!!! Where the hell are the rest!? I'm going to have to carefully sort out who's missing. There's been some added since, a bit over a dozen. Kim Fang died, of course. 

SEE ALSO THE "CONTRA COSTA CRONIES ROSTER" AT: http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/cccr.pdf  (for examples of the CCW application files mentioned)

Other Reports Exposing California's CCW Corruption

CCW in Marin County, California: Government Employees Win 3 to 1.
  Original Research, Concept and First Draft: Jim March
  Edits, HTML Layout, and Co-Author: Angel Shamaya

Oakland, California: ZEN AND THE ART OF CCW ABUSE
  by Jim March

Other Reports by Jim March

Fraudulent Gun Control Politics At The Million Mom March
  by Jim March and Nadja Adolf

MMM Fraud Followup!
Gun Control Inauthenticity Runs Even Deeper
  by Jim March