Stockton Mayor Getting Electronics Back, But Feds Won't Say If They're Done With Him
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Stockton's mayor says federal authorities have agreed to return his electronics after they were seized when he returned from China.
It's still unknown why the federal government took Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva's city-issued laptop, a second laptop and his personal cellphone when he returned to the United States two weeks ago.
Silva has told CBS13 in recent weeks he doesn't know why authorities seized his equipment, but his attorney Mark Reichel says he's satisfied with the Department of Homeland Security's decision to return Silva's equipment.
Reichel said he's not sure on the exact date, but he's dismissed his motion to get the devices back. That means no federal court hearing for Silva next week.
CBS13 tried to reach the mayor for comment, but his personal assistant, Sharon Semus, refused to say what event Silva was attending.
"If I don't call you back, that means he's not available to do an interview," she said. "I'm not going to tell you that right now. It would not be appropriate for you to show up."
The city's public information officer, Connie Cochran, says Silva doesn't even give her access to his work calendar.
Silva finally replied to CBS13 through this text message: "There is nothing more to say about the issue. I am done with it. Thank you."
While the mayor says he's done with it, the U.S. Department of Justice still will not say whether or not there is an open investigation of Silva.