Overview
- Federal agents served three search warrants on Tuesday at the Contra Costa County Assessor’s Office in Martinez and at two residences connected to outgoing Assessor Gus Kramer and Assistant Assessor Vince Robb.
- A warrant obtained by reporters says agents were searching for evidence of wire fraud and “other offenses,” and that it was signed on June 4 by a U.S. magistrate judge.
- The FBI has described the inquiry as ongoing and declined to provide further details, and no criminal charges have been announced or targets publicly identified.
- Vince Robb won the June 2 election to succeed Kramer with about two thirds of the vote and had been endorsed by Kramer before the searches took place.
- Kramer has led the office since 1994 and faced past scrutiny, including a 2019 civil grand jury accusation that ended in a mistrial, and the probe raises questions about possible disruption to property valuation work that affects local tax bills and public revenue.