"The Government not only fails to allege a crime in the Indictment it attempts to criminalize conduct fundamental to our American system of representative democracy. David Sanson's attorneys wrote in their filing that the developers were targeted by an overzealous federal investigation that sought to improperly manufacture criminal charges, in violation of their First Amendment rights."
"The indictment alleges the Sansons sought to bribe an Antioch City Council member to place the project on a City Council agenda and secure a favorable vote on a 533-home subdivision. The council member was not named in court documents, though this news organization has previously reported that all indications suggest it is former Pittsburg police Lt. Mike Barbanica."
David Sanson and his son Trent Sanson, founders of DeNova Homes, are challenging federal bribery and conspiracy charges by arguing that a $5,000 cash payment allegedly given to an Antioch City Council member constituted a legitimate campaign contribution rather than a bribe. The developers contend they were targeted by an overzealous federal investigation that violated their First Amendment rights by criminalizing conduct fundamental to representative democracy. The indictment alleges the Sansons attempted to bribe the council member to advance a stalled 533-home subdivision project. The developers filed motions to dismiss the charges ahead of a federal court hearing, marking their first formal response since their April 2025 indictment.
#bribery-charges #campaign-contributions #real-estate-development #federal-investigation #first-amendment-rights
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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