Finalists For District Attorney Include Judge From Pleasant Hill

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- The field of applicants to fill in as Contra Costa County's interim district attorney in the wake of Mark Peterson's resignation has been narrowed down to five finalists by the county Board of Supervisors. Peterson resigned and pleaded no contest to a single count of perjury in June after violating the California Political Reform Act by spending $66,372 in campaign money on personal expenses like meals and clothes. He was fined $45,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission in 2016.

The five finalists include Diana Becton, a judge from El Sobrante, Danielle Douglas, a judge from Pleasant Hill, Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Graves from Martinez, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Kensok from Martinez, and Paul Vanier of San Ramon, a Santa Clara County deputy district attorney.

The county is hosting a discussion for the five finalists moderated by former Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Steve Weir in the supervisors' chambers at 6 p.m. on Aug. 15. Members of the public will be able to comment starting at 5 p.m., and anyone unable to attend in person will be able to stream the event live online.

The successful applicant will serve until January 2019, when Peterson's term of office would have expired.

The finalists will be interviewed by the Board of Supervisors during a public meeting Sept. 12, and a hiring decision could by made that day or Sept. 19.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Process To Disbar Former DA Mark Peterson Underway
• Contra Costa Co. DA Resigns, Pleads Guilty To Perjury
• 'Embarrassed' Contra Costa District Attorney Fined For Breaking Law

By Bay City News Service

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