THE VOICE OF MODESTO

Apparently Judge Hurl Johnson set tongues a wagging when he excused Modesto’s current Mayor Jim Ridenour from testifying in the Lydia Lopez vs. Sheriff’s Department sexual harassment case including claims against Bill Pooley. 

Judge Johnson used as his reason to dismiss Ridenour, the multiple witnesses who were scheduled to testify regarding “fudging” on their timecards should be sufficient.  Saying yet another on the same subject would keep him there too long.

The word from the courthouse to City/County Building has been spreading quickly.  They’re saying Judge Johnson confirmed what former Mayor Carmen Sabatino has been suggesting regarding Ridenour misrepresenting  his timecard claiming hours worked for the Sheriff’s Dept. when in fact he was busy doing something else.

We thank those of you who relayed this information to us.

Voices Around Town, is a new column in the Voice of Modesto by and for the People of Modesto.  If you wish to contribute to VAT please email us at news@voiceofmodesto.org  and include VAT in the subject line.