Alioto Calls Upon Secretary of State Jones
San Francisco, CA– In an open letter, Democratic nominee for Secretary of State Michela Alioto has written to Secretary of State Bill Jones asking that he fire the private investigator retained by his campaign. The request was made after The San Francisco Chronicle reported on August 7th that Jones paid $4,000 to licensed private investigator Cathy Riggs.
Cathy Riggs’ private investigation techniques have attracted much attention and criticism. Roll Call reported in 1996 that Riggs was fired for contacting the ex-wife of Congressman Bernie Sanders and making inquiries of a personal nature. Congressional Quarterly quoted Riggs as saying “I’m very thorough. I do a total, complete package. Contacting an ex-wife is just something on my checklist.” The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported that Riggs is known for approaching candidates with details of “past love affairs, the most intimate marriage details, [and] illegitimate children.”
In an open letter to Mr. Jones, the state’s chief elections officer, Alioto noted that the Code of Fair Campaign Practices of the California Elections Code (Section 20440), states that candidates shall not use or permit the use of character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life. “By her own admission, this is exactly the type of investigation that Mrs. Riggs conducts,” Alioto wrote.
“I feel that as the state’s chief elections officer, the Secretary of State has a special obligation to conduct his or her own campaign in an honest and forthright manner,” Alioto wrote. “Retaining a private investigator such as Mrs. Riggs conflicts with your duties as Secretary of State, and I am deeply disappointed that you have decided to take your campaign down this path. I must respectfully ask that you terminate your working agreement with Mrs. Riggs.”
Secretary of State Jones has yet to respond to Alioto’s letter, which was sent to his campaign office on August 7.