Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva is no longer facing a felony charge for his alleged recording of confidential communications in connection with a teen strip poker game. The mayor is instead facing four misdemeanor counts, following his appearance in an Amador County Court on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I'm pleased with this juncture in the case. Today's decision to drop the felony down," Silva said following the hearing. But the mayor still denies the charges alltogether, saying even the four misdemeanor counts are politically-motivated.
Silva is accused of participating in and recording a game of strip poker with youngsters from a youth camp he runs. He is also alleged to have supplied them with alcohol.
Typically, the act of recording someone without their knowledge is treated as a misdemeanor but, in this case, prosecutors argued that the alleged sexual nature of the crime justified a felony charge. It’s a huge legal victory for Silva. Whether he’ll have the same good fortune in his re-election campaign remains to be seen.