FBI Raids Contra Costa County Tax Officials’ Homes and Office

The FBI served three federal search warrants in Contra Costa County on Tuesday morning, including the county assessor’s office, as part of an “ongoing investigation,” according to FBI spokesperson Cameron Polan.

The bureau also searched a residence on Arnold Drive in the city of Martinez and a residence on Temple Drive in the nearby town of Pacheco, Polan said in an email to KQED.

Polan said the bureau could not provide additional information about what alleged crimes motivated the search, as the investigation is ongoing.

The Mercury News first reported the raid, adding that the Martinez residence is the home of outgoing County Assessor Gus Kramer, and the Pacheco residence is the home of Assistant County Assessor Vince Robb, who won an election last week to succeed Kramer. According to a search warrant obtained by The Mercury News, the FBI is searching for evidence of wire fraud and “other offenses.”

Kristi Jourdan, a spokesperson for Contra Costa County, said the county’s Board of Supervisors is aware of the investigation and that the county is cooperating.

“While there are certain limitations on the Board’s authority because the Assessor is an elected official, the Board is focused on ensuring the integrity of the assessment process and will explore all available options for its continued operation and delivery of services,” Jourdan told KQED in an email Wednesday.

The assessor’s office determines the taxable value for all real estate and property in the county.

The Mercury News Editorial Board said Robb was Kramer’s “right-hand man” in a story endorsing him for the job last month, although it noted Kramer’s 32-year tenure as county assessor had been “marred by scandals,” including allegations of “retaliation, sexual harassment and improper land dealings.”