Sunday, June 12, 2011

AC Transit's Joel Young Issues Statement In Sex Scandal

AC Transit Board Member Joel Young, considered by some a front-runner in the 2012 race to replace California Assembly District 16 legend Sandra Swanson should Young decide to enter the race, was accused of domestic violence in a sex scandal that was first reported by Indy Bay, then in this space.

What's weird in this story where Young was rumored to have harmed his ex-girlfriend, and for which temporary restraining orders were filed each by one against the other, is that reports are that she caught him with another woman.

That's a scenario that leaves a lot of questions unanswered, and caused this blogger to write:

What's missing from this is just how did Young's reportedly ex-girlfriend find him in bed with another woman? Did she have a key to his home? How did she know to walk in? Something's missing here.

Well that "something's missing" - that giant hole of information - was filled in by Young and his lawyer today, who, as a team, have come out swinging.

Here's what Young and his attorney Enrique Pearce sent directly and exclusively (for now) to this blogger:

June 12, 2011

AC Transit Director Joel Young Physically (And Politically) Attacked

Political opponents are doing their best to smear AC Transit Director Joel Young with unfair attacks related to an incident where an intruder broke into Director Young's home and physically assaulted him in his bedroom.

Director Young is currently seeking judicial relief for this attack in Alameda Superior Court. His attacker has falsely claimed that this physical attack is related to domestic violence. With respect to this allegation, Director Young issued the following statement:

"Domestic Violence is a very real and heinous problem in our community.
It's a problem that I take very seriously, which is one of the reasons I am fighting back against these outrageous allegations. This is not just about clearing my name, this is about taking a strong stand against anyone who would mock the seriousness of this crime and cheapen the traumatic experience of victims everywhere. I want my community to know that I am 100 percent committed to pursuing justice in a court of law. I cannot support this kind of vengeful attack on my character, and we will have zero tolerance for anyone who tries to sully the very real community mission of ending domestic violence."

To be clear, this incident is being used as a blatant political attack on Director Joel Young by individuals who do not want to see him challenge incumbent Sandre Swanson for the 16th Assembly District seat.

Here are the important facts:

Key Facts About The Incident

- On March 7th, at approximately 5:30AM AC Transit Director Joel Young
was attached in his home, by a woman that he was casually dating.

- The woman had gotten into his home using a set of keys she had taken from him the previous day without his consent, and upon finding him with someone else, physically attacked him as he laid in bed.

- Mr. Young attacker hit him multiple times in the head neck and face as well as cut him in his left torso which has left him with two permanent scars.

- After going after the other woman, the attacker then went after Mr.
Young again and was physically retrained by Mr. Young until she calmed
down. Page 2

- About a week and half later, Mr. Young’s attacker then went to a Family Law Court and requested a restraining order against Mr. Young alleging to be the victim of domestic violence.

- As of today, no permanent restraining order has been issued by the
court. However, both parties have received temporary restraining
orders until the Family Law Judge makes a decision on the restraining
order requests in August.

- The Alameda County District Attorneys office has investigated this
matter and declined to press charges against either party in this matter.

Political Attack Aimed At Derailing Campaign

- While Mr. Young has not officially declared his candidacy to run for the California State Assembly to replace Sandre Swanson, political insiders
consider him to be a strong contender for the position if he decides to get in the race.
- The posting of this article on Indybay is a political attack done by the opposition to derail his campaign.
- The Article posting occurred on the same day Mr. Young was having a
kick - off reception for his exploratory committee
- Person who posted the article left no contact information on Indybay.
- The name of the article poster is "Epic Beard Man, Jr." Epic Beard Man is the old guy that beat up an African American Ac Transit Bus rider.
Clearly the person that put this up knows a lot about the local political scene in the east bay.

Can Young fight his way out of this issue?  The news that the Alameda County District Attorney declined to file charges is big news, and that, alone, should clear Young.   The new question is to what degree his ex-girlfriend will allow all of this to go away.

Only time will tell. 

And on that note, comments on this at SFGate.com will not be allowed.  There have been attempts to put the woman's true name out in public against her wishes and using the comment section.   That simply will not be allowed to happened again in this space.  

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