This has nothing to do with the Justice System™ and everything to do with the Court of Public Opinion which plays by a completely different set of rules (hint: there aren’t any).

The fact that these allegations have not pushed KJ out of the race is a testament to just how tired people are of Heather Fargo. KJ would probably be long gone if his opponent was of Joe Serna quality.

If I lived in Sacramento County I would be voting for Johnson. Nothing has been proven, and were that to change he would be drummed out of office.

One more note – The fact that the mayor’s office is asking the police to get together with the DA to reopen a misdemeanor case whose statute of limitations has long expired is amazing to me. I understand the interest from the feds, as St. Hope receives federal funds. But this move by Fargo is wrong. What’s next – ask the IRS to pull Leonard Padilla’s tax returns? This could wind up blowing up in Fargo’s face.

But there are certain issues that prejudice my opinion towards a public figure. Abuse directed towards women, children or animals specifically. Once I’ve heard it, even in rumor form, I’m just unable to look at that person the same way again. Hell, I was a Ron Artest fanboi until the deals with his dogs and his wife.

Additionally, while KJ shouldn’t have to prove he didn’t do anything, that benefit of the doubt applies only to a courtroom. If we were under those restrictions on the internet, most blogs and message boards would be Hello Kitty equivalent. :)

My thinking when I hear something like this about an athlete is first – it’s probably true. And second – how many times has it happened before and been swept under the rug or ignored by some athlete-worshipping police officer or prosecutor? I guess I’m just a cynical bastard.

You are correct though, anyone short of Dave Jones is probably a better fit as Mayor for Kings fans than Heather Fargo. If KJ does happen to win the Mayorship, I’ll have to see that as the silver lining. I won’t even have to hold my nose and vote for him – I live in El Dorado County now. :)

Two thoughts in the same head here, so follow me on this:
One:
I’ve read the relevant documents in regards to the girl in Phoenix. It’s very clear to me that there was significant and unforgivable wrongdoing on KJ’s part in that case. As far as the other case(s) go, where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire. I can’t in good conscience vote for Kevin Johnson.

Two:
Heather Fargo is CLEARLY abusing her office in asking the police to reinvestigate. Has she EVER asked them to reopen another case? Does she even have a right to do this? And finally, the “new information” she sites is from the PHOENIX case, which has nothing to do with the Sacramento case from a legal standpoint. This is clearly political grandstanding, which I really frown upon. What’s worse is that she is abusing her office, which I absolutely cano’t stand. Fargo has been WOEFULLY ineffective as mayor. I have major problems with lack of redevelopment Downtown, the ATROCIOUS job the city did developing Natomas, the lack of movement on the railyard, and the lack of real action on fixing the flood control problem. I cannot in good conscience vote for Heather Fargo.

So I’ll vote in the election, but I’m abstaining from the mayoral vote because they both suck.

You already nailed it in your original post…

It’s an incredibly unsavvy move politically made by an individual uniformly despised for her lack of political savvy.