Represented by California Criminal Defense Lawyer, Allen Sawyer, Mark Thiel, an attorney who served on the Stockton County School Board for 16 years, made his first court appearance on Friday, August 10, 2018. Mr. Thiel was recently indicted by a grand jury for allegedly receiving almost $50,000 from the San Joaquin County Office of Education during a period of time when he was not eligible to serve because he was residing outside the district he was elected to represent.
Allen’s Sawyer’s comments to the media are as follows:
Mark Thiel faithfully served as a trustee for the San Joaquin County Office of Education for 16 years. He moved 2 streets outside his district during the last year of his last term. He received health benefits and a minor stipend but no salary compensation. When this address discrepancy became an issue in his campaign for judge, Mark immediately rectified it and offered to pay the County Office of Education any monies they thought they were owed. He has already made full reimbursement.
Mark has always filled out disclosures as required by law for his position.
This isn’t a case of giving a false address to run for office.
Mark always lived in the district when he ran for office.These charges are disconcerting in that Mr. Thiel has volunteered over and above a thousand of hours to improving the lives of youth for 25 years. This will have a chilling effect on people becoming involved in public life. These charges are misplaced and we will vigorously fight them in a court of law.
Mr. Thiel’s next appearance is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2018.