Former Stockton Mayor Arrested

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PHOENIX - Former Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva, who took office after the city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, was arrested at San Francisco International Airport Sunday and stands accused of embezzling money from a nonprofit children's organization.

An arrest warrant filed March 2 in a San Joaquin County court ordered Silva, 42, arrested on suspicion of multiple felony counts of embezzlement, grand theft, and money laundering. Information from the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office showed that the former mayor, who held office from 2013 to 2017, was booked into jail Sunday evening and was being held on a $1 million bond. Silva has denied the charges through his attorney.

Silva was already facing some legal trouble stemming from misdemeanor charges that last year he was involved in recording a poker game involving and providing alcohol to minors.

Silva left office losing badly in his 2016 re-election bid, which followed years of difficulty. Challenger Michael Tubbs won more than 70% of the vote.

Stockton filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in June 2012, facing over $2 Billion in labor agreements, long-term debt, and other obligations that officials said the city would not have been possible to address outside of bankruptcy. Citizens approved a tax increase as part of the solution, along with modifications to various labor and debt deals. Stockton exited bankruptcy in February 2015.

Silva was due in court on the newest charges Monday afternoon.

 

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