Former Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla pleaded not guilty Monday morning to 34 felony counts of grand theft and perjury related to allegations he illegally used nearly $262,000 from election campaign accounts to pay off a personal loan and for travel and other luxuries.
Canciamilla did not appear at Monday’s brief arraignment in Contra Costa County Superior Court. His attorney Michael Rains said Canciamilla is out of state, and remains free on his own recognizance. Rains entered the pleas in front of Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady.
The district attorney’s office in June had charged Canciamilla, 65, with 30 counts of felony perjury for allegedly making misstatements on 30 separate campaign disclosure forms, along with four additional felonies related to grand theft for using nearly $262,000 in campaign funds for personal expenses from 2010 to 2016.
The district attorney’s office in June said it had been told in early 2017 by the state Franchise Tax Board of possible criminal activity associated with campaign accounts for Canciamilla.
Canciamilla, of Pittsburg, resigned as county clerk-recorder last October, and a short time later agreed to pay $150,000 to the California Fair Political Practices Commission after admitting to spending campaign funds on
personal expenses such as vacations to Asia, restaurant meals, airfare, repayment of a personal loan and transfers to his personal bank accounts.
Canciamilla is scheduled to return to court Sept. 8. After Monday’s brief hearing, Rains said he hopes a final “reasonable resolution” can be struck on that date.
“He’s not a young man, and he wants to live the rest of his life without the weight of this on his shoulders,” said Rains, who noted Canciamilla has acknowledged wrongdoing. “He understands he did things he should not have done with this money.”
Poor man sounds like he knew he totally blew it! He will have to get his punishment over with and move on. We all make mistakes! I hope he will be a better example in the future.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…
Mistakes are forgetting your wife’s birthday. Ordering the wrong item. Bringing the soccer equipment when you were supposed to be playing tennis.
Not stealing over a quarter million dollars. 😱
Yes – a $262,000 “mistake.”
A public office is a public trust.
@ JJ
My wife would argue that forgetting her birthday ranks right up there!
Yes poor man popcorn. The poor criminal man.
Actually this is not uncommon in Democrat politics. the media just usually doesn’t blurt it out when it’s a Democrat.
We certainly all make mistakes, but this goes beyond that. It’s blatant theft! In addition to paying off his personal loan, travel and luxuries were purchased. So I really don’t feel any sympathy towards him.
Doesn’t look good. He’s already paid a huge fine and admitted guilt.
Canciamilla has been in Claycord politics ever since I can remember.
Preceded by Torlakson and succeeded by DeSaulnier. Get it now?
Neither Torlakson nor DeSalunier held the post of County Clerk-Recorder. Canciamilla was appointed to the job after the retirement of Steve Weir, who ran that office for 24 years, without a hint of scandal.
@ NOJ
“Canciamilla has been in Claycord politics ever since I can remember.”
And how much more did he steal during that time that he got away with? That’s the real questions!
@The Masked (and gloved) Poster
It refers to our California State Assembly, not Clerk Recorder.
Year was 2000 to 2006. After Torlakson, before DeSlacker.
You’re welcome.
If they got him for $262,000 it was probably double that yet he may have a happy outcome. How does that work?
Exactly. Its
Exactly. It’s likely much higher than the $262,000. Damn thief! They’re always sorry.. after being caught.
I am not feeling as empathetic for the gentleman. They ought to throw the book at him and make him pay for what he’s done. He is abused his position as an elected official to commit financial crimes. That is the definition of corruption. If we want to have a better society we need to hold politicians accountable for their BS.
Agree!
Can that defense be used for anything. I know I messed up killing a guy and I’m really sorry. I hope that’s enough and I don’t want this weight in my shoulders.
What about the other $112,000 he illegally used? He needs to pay that back and then if convicted, serve the time for the crime.
The DA doesn’t go to trial unless they believe they can win. So, they must have the evidence.
But, I forget, he’s from the good ol’ boys club of CCC.
If he get probation I’ll be surprised.
He’s out of state because he’s hiding out in Mexico. He deserves to spend many years behind bars.
scumbag
I’m sure he knew his actions were illegal, when he was doing it.. Would he be so remorseful, and turn himself in, if he hadn’t been caught?
He’s already admitted guilt? It says in the article he pleaded “not guilty”. Doesn’t sound like an admission of guilt to me.
Contra Costa County politicians have been corrupt ever since I can remember. They get away with it because of people like you, who are dumb enough to forgive them and can’t tell the difference between honesty and fraud.
Get it now?
Lets take his participation trophy away, put him in timeout for five minutes and send him on his way he learned his lesson!!! “NOT” PUT HIM IN JAIL!!!
ok make the deal
show us all the corrupt council members
you did not achieve this on your own
who else was involved and who else is doing the same
lets go its now or prison
This was not a mistake, it was a choice. He is a grown man that knows better and decided to steal money and use it for his own pleasures. What a shameful thing to do, not only for his family, but our community. He needs to pay it all back with interest or work it off within our county (picking up trash or what have you). How am I still surprised by this type of behavior from our leaders?
He was in the pocket of a lot of local politicians who need to be investigated themselves.
Well if this isn’t an admission I don’t know what is: “…a short time later agreed to pay $150,000 to the California Fair Political Practices Commission after admitting to spending campaign funds on
personal expenses such as vacations to Asia, restaurant meals, airfare, repayment of a personal loan and transfers to his personal bank accounts.” After admitting. Got it.
So he should plead guilty. Why is your boy pleading not guilty then?
According to Transparent California’s website, we were footing the bill for his pay and benefits package to the tune of $297,744.39 in 2018.
Well done Joey.
Grayson needs to be looked into next. He gives off such a creepy vibe. Something sleazy about that dude.
Surely you can’t be referring to our good “pastor” Tim Grayson? Speaking of whom, he seems to have disappeared from the local scene.