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Stockton Mayor Declares Innocence In Strip Poker Recording Case

AMADOR COUNTY (CBS13) - Mayor Anthony Silva made his first court appearance on Thursday and pleaded not guilty on all four counts, including a felony charge of illegally recording confidential communications at a strip poker game.

"There's a lot of things about this case that should make you go 'hmm,'" Silva said in a brief meeting after his afternoon arraignment.

Silva was arrested on Aug. 4 at the Silver Lake Summer camp in Amador County. He is charged with one felony charge of recording confidential communications and three additional misdemeanors: contributing to the delinquency of a minor, providing alcohol to a person under 21, and cruelty to a child by endangering health.

In a relaxed demeanor, the Stockton mayor thanked Amador County Sheriff's Department for their professionalism.

"They dotted all of the I's and crossed the T's and gave me a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich so I want to say 'Thank you' to them," he said.

He believes the timing of the charges, so close to November's mayoral election, is suspicious.

His attorneys, Mark Reichel and Allen Sawyer, released an audio recording from Silva's phone on Wednesday, which they consider to be a critical part of the evidence in this case. Amador County District Attorney's Office alleges Silva is heard playing strip poker with a group of camp counselors, said to be underage, and providing alcohol to people under 21.

"There is different judgement I could have used, like all of you can, in various situations as well," Silva said on Thursday. "But those things are a far, far cry from any sort of criminal activity."

Reichel told CBS13 that Amador County authorities had nothing to do with the investigation.

"This is an attempt by the San Joaquin powers that be to come out and say 'Here, charge this man,'" he said.

Both attorneys say they will be investigating police misconduct in the case. Inside of the courtroom, they made an oral request to change the judge presiding over the case. That requested was granted.

"We felt that that was in the best interest of our client," Sawyer said.

Silva is set to return to court on Sept. 7.

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