FBI raids home, offices of Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer

FBI agents raided the home and offices of longtime Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer on Tuesday morning.

An FBI spokesperson said that agents served search warrants related to an ongoing investigation at the County Assessor's Office at 2530 Arnold Drive in Martinez and at Kramer's home on West Arlington Drive in Martinez. A third warrant was served at the home of Assistant County Assessor Vince Robb's home on Temple Drive in the city of Pacheco.

Kramer said the investigation had to do with the assessed value of properties in the county.

"Apparently, low people in high places are attempting to weaponize the FBI to intimidate the Assessor's Office regarding some values on some very large properties, it's really too bad," said Kramer. 

Kramer spoke as he and other county workers waited in the lobby of the Assessor's Office while FBI agents executed the search warrant. He also confirmed his home was raided before agents arrived at his office.

"I used to work for the Sheriff's Office. I understand what [the FBI agents] are doing, but all they had to do was come in the office and ask for it politely, and we would've given them everything they wanted," said Kramer. 

The FBI did not offer details on what its agents were investigating, but a sealed warrant was signed last week by a federal magistrate judge for investigation of wire fraud.

"I don't wire anything, so I don't have the slightest idea what they're talking about," Kramer said. "I think this is a fishing expedition based on rumor and inuendo."

Kramer, who's been the county assessor since 1994, told CBS News Bay Area that he believes the investigation stems from two former employees who left the office several years ago.

"They're making accusations. They would have had access to some of the information they're mentioning." said Kramer. "I have been investigated more times than not and every time I'm exonerated."

Kramer has previously faced scrutiny over his multiple personal real estate investments in the same county where he sets taxable property values. Public records show Kramer owned shares in dozens of local properties, many of which he initially failed to report on state-mandated economic disclosure forms before submitting 33 subsequent amendments, according to Bay Area News Group.  

Kramer has also been embroiled in legal controversies over the three decades he has held the office of County Assessor. In 2019, the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury filed a rare formal accusation of "willful or corrupt misconduct" against Kramer, saying he created a hostile and abusive work environment. Prosecutors said Kramer violated California's Fair Employment and Housing Act by allegedly making unwanted sexual and racially disparaging remarks to employees between 2013 and 2019.  

While the case was a civil matter, it was handled in criminal court for the purpose of a trial, since after the grand jury accusation was issued, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office was responsible for serving it on Kramer. The misconduct case ended in a mistrial in 2020 when the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on whether his actions legally constituted a hostile work environment. 

Kramer maintained that the allegations were a "witch hunt." 

In 2012, Kramer filed a federal lawsuit against the county Board of Supervisors, claiming that they intentionally discriminated against him and reneged on a promised pay raise. The judge dismissed the case.

In 2009, Contra Costa County paid a nearly $1 million settlement by a worker who claimed Kramer retaliated against her after accusing him of sexual harassment.

"The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is aware of the ongoing federal law enforcement investigation at the Assessor's Office," a spokesperson told CBS News Bay Area in an emailed statement. "While there are certain limitations on the Board's authority because the Assessor is an elected official, the Board is focused on ensuring the integrity of the assessment process and will explore all available options for its continued operation and delivery of services." 

Kramer is currently serving out the remainder of his eighth term and will officially retire in December 2026. Robb was elected to fill Kramer's seat earlier this month.