Critical issues in race for Contra Costa D.A.

The race to become Contra Costa County’s interim district attorney took an unexpected turn when two news outlets reported that finalists Diana Becton and Tom Kensok plagiarized portions of their applications for the job. Both outlets were quick to compare the plagiarism incidents with the actions of Contra Costa County’s most recent district attorney, Mark Peterson, who resigned in disgrace after earning a felony conviction for his illegal use of $66,000 in campaign funds.

Plagiarism is a serious mistake, but we should put these incidents into perspective. These blunders are not even in the same realm as Peterson stealing tens of thousands of dollars. In a hurried appointment process that has drawn criticism from community members for its lack of transparency and rushed deadlines, these applicants used passages without attribution to describe how they felt about specific issues of importance. They did not commit a crime. They did not publish anything. They did not abuse their power. In their haste to meet the deadline, they made a few mistakes. To their credit, they both quickly apologized, noting these regrettable oversights.

Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding this incident have raised serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the selection process. Becton and Kensok made the same mistake, yet the anonymous source who delivered mysterious packages to various county leaders a few weeks ago only targeted Becton’s application. If the goal of the source is to bring back integrity to the D.A.’s office, then why did he or she deliver these packages anonymously? And, perhaps more importantly, why focus only on Becton? What are the true intentions of this source? Also, why have some Contra Costa County supervisors only expressed concern about Becton’s mistakes and not Kensok’s? Is this really about “restoring integrity to the office,” or is it just about discrediting Becton?

Sadly, this is a predictable response from those who are resistant to change, despite demands from the community for a new direction. The community has made clear that it wants a D.A. who will focus on the critical issues facing the community: the broken bail system, the war on drugs. They want reform that will protect our youth and hold police accountable. This is why I support Becton for the interim D.A. job.

None of the applicants is perfect, and each of them must answer questions about his or her past. As the selection proceeds, Becton and Kensok should candidly answer any questions about the plagiarism. Similarly, Paul Graves, who has also applied for the interim D.A. position, must answer for his role in the decision to clear more than a dozen law enforcement officers in a wide-ranging sex exploitation scheme.

The selection process should focus on substance, not smears. And the same rules should be applied to all the applicants, not just one. Not all the applicants are prepared to implement the necessary changes to the office, and that should be the biggest determinant. The Board of Supervisors should choose the applicant who most closely aligns with Contra Costa County voters on the issues of major importance.