Audio footage and photos of the alleged strip poker incident has been released by the legal team working for Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva. Teenagers at a youth camp have accused the Californian mayor of involvement in a strip poker game.
On Thursday, Silva pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor counts and one felony count of recording confidential communications. Silva was accused of providing alcohol to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
To show Silva’s side of the story Mark Reichel and Allen Sawyer, Silva’s attorneys, are now releasing the tapes. According to the tapes, Silva left after he “happened on a game that may have been strip poker”. In addition, there were no minors in the room according to witness’ reports.
Strip Poker Mayor Not Guilty
The mayor says he can’t make too many comments about the case, as it’s obviously still an ongoing battle. However, in a press statement, he did made a few:
“Numer one: Everyone there was 18 years old. Number two: I never, ever, ever, ever endangered a child. Ever. Number three: I never provided alcohol to anyone. And I certainly did not secretly record anyone”.
However according to the DA’s office, there is an audio of a conversation during the alleged strip poker game that suggests that all poker players were naked. Also allegedly one of the participants was a 16-year-old boy. The audio also indicates that the participants are unaware of the recording and unwilling to be recorded:
“Did you take a picture? Oh, you’re trying to record.” – “You better not.”
“Smear Campaign”
People on Silva’s team believe this is orchestrated by Silva’s political opponents, as a “smear campaign”, since the timing of the arrest is “suspicious”.
Silva’s attorney said: “What they did was the assassination of a particular candidate’s reputation. By doing that they are removing the right for the residents of Stockton to choose who their major is.”
On September 7, Silva will be back in court.
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