Anthony Silva, the former Mayor of Stockton, is eyeing a return to public office despite a history marred by legal troubles and controversy. In a recent interview with CBS13's Steve Large, Silva announced his candidacy for a city council seat, expressing his desire to clear his name and asking Stockton residents for another chance.
With his young son by his side, Silva reflected on his tumultuous past, likening his experiences to being "knocked down" and "spit on." His legal issues became public in 2016 when he was arrested following an FBI investigation. Silva described his arrest as "shocking" and akin to a scene from a movie.
Silva's legal battles include pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of furnishing alcohol to an underage counselor at the Stockton Silver Lake Camp, resulting in 40 hours of community service. Additionally, in 2019, he pleaded no contest to a felony conflict of interest charge for contributing city money to a youth club. This conviction led to a sentence of 90 days in an alternative work program at the county dump.
In 2016, Silva faced another investigation regarding a gun stolen from him that was used in various crimes, including murder. However, he was not charged in this case.
Reflecting on his past, Silva admits to learning from his mistakes, claiming to have grown older and more mature. His campaign for the city council will focus on public safety and addressing homelessness in Stockton.
Despite his name recognition, it remains uncertain whether this will benefit or hinder his campaign. Silva, who briefly moved out of Stockton for self-reflection, now resides back in the city and owns a family entertainment business. He hopes the people of Stockton will give him the benefit of the doubt in his bid for a seat on the city council. What are your thoughts?
Original interview with Anthony Silva reported by CBS13's Steve Large