Voters, as you make your decision about the City Attorney race, I hope you keep in mind that one of the biggest responsibilities of the City Attorney is to manage cases in which Oakland or its entities are parties.
I have more than 40 years of litigation experience, including trying and managing complex cases with multiple parties and numerous legal issues. Ryan Richardson has practically no trial experience, which is why we have to spend so much money sending so many cases to outside firms. Oakland can no longer afford to do that.
There is a reason he and his supporters never talk about his resume, and instead distract you by talking about everything except his ability to try cases or manage the trials of cases. I had him as "my attorney" when I was on the police commission. He was incompetent, and demonstrated on numerous occasions that he did not know the law or understand simple legal concepts.
If Oakland is to survive the fiscal crisis we are already in, you should vote for me. See my resume at https://t.co/4kU47ZNbjm
We need Brenda Harbin-Forte @ForteHarbin as City Attorney
I wish Barbara Parker well, who has served Oakland since 2011 as City Attorney, and Chief Assistant City Attorney, for more than ten years, defending the City of Oakland and the people of Oakland to protect and advance all Oakland residents' rights, while advising the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, all City departments, boards and commissions on legal issues, projects, grievances, litigation.
Ryan Richardson has served as the Chief Assistant City Attorney for only 2 years, 5 months under the direction of City Attorney Parker, who has been challenged by health issues, for years since 2020, rarely making an appearance at City Council and City Hall.
From Jan. 2020 to Dec. 2023, under Ryan Richardson, the City Attorney’s office staff cost $10.5 MILLON while outside counsel assisting the City Attorney’s office has soared to over $22 MILLION , and settling lawsuits for a total of over $5 MILLION. (Source: City of Oakland)
City staff and Oakland voters often challenge the advice and credibility of the City Attorney's Office and Richardson.
The City of Oakland is facing millions of dollars in service cuts and layoffs as part of its ongoing structural budget deficit.
We need strong leadership and advice from the City Attorney’s office to assist and guide the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, all City departments, on potential and impending legal issues, projects, grievances, and litigations. Not someone who will just go along to later litigate consequences.
This is why we need Brenda Harbin-Forte as City Attorney. We need her 27 years of experience, leadership, judgement and dedication to the court system and service to the public.
And we need it NOW.
Vote Brenda Harbin-Forte for Oakland’s City Attorney.
Oakland needs a City Attorney who is from Oakland, not from San Francisco and other locations.
My family moved to Oakland 54 years ago and I attended McClymonds High, then went on to Cal Berkeley for college and law school. I have been actively involved in the Oakland community for all 54 years.
Ryan Richardson moved to Oakland about five years ago, presumably to position himself to run for Oakland City Attorney. He has not been involved in the Black bar associations or done anything of consequence in the Oakland community.
We don’t need another elected official who is in Oakland just to collect a paycheck. If you elect me, you will get a City Attorney who has shown a long term commitment to Oakland and who has for decades rolled up her sleeves to make Oakland better.
Vote for Brenda Harbin-Forte, a City Attorney who loves Oakland. https://t.co/4kU47ZNbjm
"She continues to gaslight. She's not honest with people."
Brenda Harbin-Forte joined @CatOriel on "Forbes Newsroom" to discuss leading the efforts to recall Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
@tripledouble@mgruff@gaganbiyani In recent years they develop policies and bridge community and police. They can decide discipline when they disagree with certain decisions. They oversee the Inspector General and the Community Police Review Agency which conducts investigations into OPD non criminal misconduct.
@tripledouble@mgruff@gaganbiyani OPD changed its own policy after discussions with the Federal Monitoring Team and the Plaintiffs attorney for the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA). You can ask the Commission to change the policy but the ultimate authority over OPD policies is the Federal Monitor.
My heart is breaking for my hometown. 💔
Many Oaklanders lost trust in Mayor Thao a long time ago, but now an FBI raid tied to corruption accusations and her deafening silence in the wake of 15 people shot at Lake Merritt on Juneteenth confirm a complete dereliction of duty.
Unfortunately, I expect that when we hear from the mayor, we will listen to more “spin” and excuses, but receive none of the answers that Oaklanders deserve. Oaklanders do not feel safe in our city. They do not trust City Hall. And they have no confidence that the mayor or her council allies are prioritizing the best interests of residents ahead of political ambitions.
This past week has not only been a national embarrassment for our city, but it has significantly eroded public trust in our government which makes it nearly impossible for the current administration to be effective moving forward.
#Oakland #LeadershipMatters
On 6.12.24 we celebrate a Loving Day which is also a day of emergence, where potential doubles into greatness. It marks a rare moment of exponential growth. #LovingvVirginia
As I have awaited the news on the name of the officer who was murdered this morning, hoping that it wasn't an officer, I knew. Once I received the news, unfortunately, it was an officer who I knew and policed in my neighborhood who personally responded to several of my calls for service.
Earlier this year, Officer Tuan Le came to my home because there were criminals consistently casing my home, hanging out on my property between 3am and 6am. These criminals were stealing things off my front porch and things in yard with swords visibly in their hands walking around my property. Officer Le requested more frequent patrolling in my neighborhood. He would personally drive past my home and look around my property when he could in between answering service calls. There was a time when I left my garage door open, and he personally knocked on my door to let me know that I left it open because he knew that wasn't my norm.
Officer Le was a great cop who cared about the community in Oakland. He was fearless cop. He was always willing to do whatever it took to keep our communities safe. This is heartbreaking and loss for the city of Oakland. I am praying for his family and friends during this difficult time.