Manteca Mayor Gurminder "Gary" Singh has spoken out following the Sept. 18 announcement of misdemeanor election charges against him and chiropractor Matthew Alexander.
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release that charges were filed against the two men following an investigation into alleged election-related offenses that occurred between Aug 12. and Aug. 31.
Singh and Alexander are each charged with two misdemeanor counts: offering payment or other valuable consideration as inducement to vote or register to vote and offering or promising to pay or other valuable consideration as inducement to vote for a particular person or measure.
Singh speaks out on Facebook
Singh took to his mayoral Facebook page to say he was aware of the charges and is prepared
to address them.
“I am prepared to address these charges through the appropriate legal process, and I look forward to the facts being fully heard,” Singh wrote. “I remain confident in allowing that process to move forward, and I will not allow this matter to distract me from my responsibility to the people of Manteca.”
He said his focus would remain where it has always been: serving residents, supporting the community and local businesses, and continuing to work on behalf of the city.
“I am grateful to everyone who has reached out with their support and encouragement during this time,” Singh said in his post. “I have always run a positive campaign focused on the good things happening in Manteca and the people who make our community special. That will not change.”
Singh said he would not comment further on the case.
A letter sent to Singh from the district attorney's office said: “We are writing to inform you that a criminal complaint charging you with violation(s) of EL18107.5 (a) (1) AND EL18522 (a) has been filed against you in the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, People of the State of California v. Gurminder Singh.”
The letter stated that Singh would receive a copy of the complaint at this first court appearance. It also stated that an arrest warrant had not been issued in the case at this time. However, the letter warned a failure to appear in court would result in a warrant issued for Singh’s arrest.
What led to the charges?
The charges occurred after a social media video was posted online from Singh touring Alexander’s business.
In the video Alexander tells Singh, “You know what, we love you so much as mayor that anyone who comes in and says they voted for you as mayor anytime between now and the election Nov. 3, we will give them $50 off their first visit here.”
Singh then says, “Wow that’s awesome. You know what, it does pay off to vote for your mayor.”
In the upcoming Nov. 3 election, Singh is running against Jacob Naven for mayor.
Both men were served notices to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 16.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Manteca Mayor Gary Singh speaks out following misdemeanor election charges
