Holland forces Stracener to change statement

Chuck Holland, local bail bondsman and political activist, was prepared to enter into litigation against El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Warren “Curt” Stracener. Stracener, Holland alleged, misrepresented himself to voters on a candidate statement. But, as of Aug. 13, changes have been made.

“Holland has had repeated contact through his lawyers with Stracener’s legal representatives over the past months encouraging Stracener to come clean and tell the truth about his record,” a press release states. “Holland believes Stracener’s candidate statement misled voters in the June primary.”

The press release goes on to state that the mistruths were in three areas: Stracener’s appearance before the California and United States Supreme Courts and the number of cases he had heard in juvenile court.

But, Holland said Tuesday, changes were made to the Aug. 13 statement, available for review at the county Elections Office on Fairlane Court until Friday, Aug. 17. Viewing the statement is free and a copy can be purchased for 10 cents.

Wording was changed from “I have handled thousands of emotionally charged Dependency and Delinquency cases…” to “I hear emotionally charged Dependency and Delinquency cases…” The statement also changes “I have appeared before the U.S. and California Supreme Courts…” to “As an attorney, I have over 20 years experience including matters before the U.S. and California Supreme Courts…”

Both had been points of contention in the June primary race, which ended in a runoff between Stracener, the incumbent, and attorney Joseph Hoffman. Holland, the press release states, contacted the U.S. Supreme Court and received written confirmation that Stracener had not “argued a case before the court.” For the California Supreme Court, “Stracener has had his name attached to eight petitions for review, all subsequently denied at the review stage,” the press release states.

“It’s critically important that the voters receive truthful information about a candidate’s credentials, qualifications and experience,” Holland was quoted in the press release. “He never appeared before either the United States Supreme Court or the California Supreme Court and shouldn’t be allowed to lie about it.”

Stracener, regarding the changes to his candidate statement, said he had “No comment on that at all.”

Cole Mayer

Cole Mayer started writing for the Mountain Democrat in early 2012. He has written news, features and opinions in the past, and currently works the crime, court and fire beat.

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