Swansenreport

Federal agents descended on the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office Tuesday morning, executing three search warrants as part of what the FBI described only as an “ongoing investigation.”

Agents served warrants at the Assessor’s Office on Arnold Drive in Martinez, at the home of outgoing County Assessor Gus Kramer, and at the Pacheco home of Assistant Assessor Vince Robb — Kramer’s longtime deputy and recently elected successor. Agents cleared the office by early afternoon, though it remained closed for much of the day.

The FBI has not announced charges or publicly stated the nature of the investigation. A partial warrant reviewed by local reporters referenced the possibility of wire fraud. Kramer told reporters the search appeared to involve assessed property values on large parcels in the county.

“Apparently, low people in high places are attempting to weaponize the FBI to intimidate the Assessor’s Office regarding some values on some very large properties,” Kramer said. “It’s drama and trauma. Totally uncalled for.”

Kramer, who has held the office for 32 years across eight terms, announced in March that he would not seek a ninth term and is set to retire in December. Robb — who was endorsed by Kramer — won 68 percent of the vote in the June 2 primary and is slated to take over in January. The raid came one week after that election.

This is not the first time the Assessor’s Office has faced serious scrutiny. In 2009, Contra Costa County paid a nearly $1 million settlement to a worker who alleged Kramer retaliated against her after reporting sexual harassment. A decade later, a Contra Costa County civil grand jury filed a formal accusation of “willful or corrupt” misconduct against Kramer, alleging he created a hostile work environment through unwanted sexual remarks and racial disparagement toward employees. That case went to trial in 2020 and ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Kramer has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout each episode. “I have been investigated more times than not,” he said Tuesday. “And every time, I am exonerated. Every. Time.”

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Tuesday’s raids. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors said it is aware of the investigation and is considering legal options to protect the county’s assessment process. Because Kramer holds an elected position, he cannot be placed on administrative leave.

Sources: NBC Bay Area, CBS San Francisco, ABC7 San Francisco, KTVU Fox 2