Antioch City Council Candidate Admits to Past Mistake, Looks Forward

Antioch City Council Candidate Anthony Segovia admitted via press release to past mistakes after news of his fraud convictions were made public Sunday.

Segovia reportedly had a pair of felony convictions which were later reduced to misdemeanors after restitution of $150,000 was paid between 4-people. Due to the circumstances, Segovia paid $90,000.  He was also charged with grand theft, however, after restitution was paid, that charged was dismissed.

In 2012, Segovia pleaded no contest to a pair of insurance fraud charges which were committed in 2010 and again in 2011. The grand theft charge was in February 2008.

In the end, he was given a 9-months sentence, but only served 28-days and spent 45-days on an ankle bracelet.

“I did a total of 75-days,” said Segovia. “Spending even a day in jail, no one wants to be out of their comfort zone. It really changed my perspective on things.”

The charges and jail time stem from a car accident where authorities wanted Segovia to provide information about who was involved and information about two of the people who were submitting false inflated documentation with two insurance companies.

“They already had phone calls, emails and the information but they wanted me to give up other parties involved and I would not do that because they were family,” explained Segovia. “They said tell us what we need to know and you walk away and I refused.”

Segovia was aware of the inflated documentation; he just did not report it to authorities. He said that three of the four people involved in the accident served jail time while a fourth was given a misdemeanor.

“I regret it. Sometimes doing the wrong thing is the right thing. Right now, look what I have to deal with. Now everyone knows. I wish people would allow me time to give my side rather than blast it all over social media without all the facts.”

He explained that his felony was dropped down to a misdemeanor after a deal was cut with the District Attorney that after restitution was paid, the charges would be reduced.

“I paid close to $90,000 which wiped out my savings and retirement accounts,” explained Segovia. “I paid it as quick as possible because I did not want to be a felon. I would rather have a misdemeanor than a felony because I would have to change my profession and a lot of other things. When you are a convicted felon there are a lot of things you cannot do.”

Even with the criminal history, Segovia said he knew it would come out during the campaign and would have to face voters, but says his heart is with improving Antioch.

“I knew it was going to come up, I know I would have to face it someday. I want to make a positive change regardless. Just because you have a criminal history whether it’s a DUI or fraud, it should not prevent someone from making positive changes in the community,” explained Segovia. “But I also think we need to look at each candidate’s history on a case on a case by case basis. Every case has to be looked at individually.”

He also understands its politics and fair game.

“This is politics; I chose to get into this. Being a formal journalist I was on the other end. I know what it’s like. I do feel like I am being singled out. There are other candidates running for office that have a past that have been convicted and the media is leaving them alone. I can’t complain because I did what I did but I wish it was a fair battlefield,” explained Segovia.

Segovia says that the incident has made him stronger as not only a candidate, but as a person saying he is now not so quick to judge others because he was once in their shoes.

“It puts you at an all-time low and really humbles you. I used to be one of those people who passed judgment about others going to jail and they were criminals, now I was in their shoes and so I am not so quick to judge,” explained Segovia. “So if positive change in Antioch comes with me having a criminal history, then I am okay with it.”

Segovia is running on community safety, business development and assisting the downtown and helping fix the budget.

“I am not happy with the direction Antioch is headed and where crime is. It’s not okay,” says Segovia. “. We need to utilize every resource we have to implement a zero tolerance. We as a city will not stand for the crime rate we are seeing. With the budget, we cannot afford to be careless with our spending especially when we as a city our trying to attract not only residents but businesses.”

He plans to use his life experience of looking at the pros and cons of every issue and not be so quick to judge. He understands that he may think a certain way, but the public may shape his final decision.

Segovia says he cannot change the past, but can use it as a reminder in the future to always work towards doing the right thing.

“The incident was a breach of trust. You pride yourself on integrity and when you have a fraud conviction obviously it doesn’t look good,” said Segovia. “They can trust me knowing I made a mistake and admitted it and paid my debt to society. I made right on everything I have done. All they can do is put their trust in me and the outcome. I am young; I have a lot of time to dedicate to the council and community.”

Here is a copy of the press release put out by Segovia on Sunday evening.

Press Release: As many of the people are aware now, yes I do have a past that I am not proud of. Nobody is perfect, including the people judging me. Feeling I did the right at the time, there is no excuse to justify my choices. When one is running for public office of any kind, he/she should be a leader which he/she is seeking office for. As of now I have failed to do that. However what I haven’t failed to do is admit to my mistakes, took responsibility for my actions and moved on. There are many people with a past, they are just not trying to be a part of saving a crime stricken city. Before making a choice to run for Antioch City Council, I knew this was coming, now I have to face the comments and people passing judgment. Regardless of my past, there is a city that needs work and this is my main goal is getting Antioch back on track, getting it back to the city people loved to call hone. Many of you are probably wondering why i have no chosen to withdraw my candidacy, but let me tell you this will only make it stronger and makes me strive to change this great city. As for As the people who stuck by my side and continue to I want to thank you for your love and undying support you have shown me. NOW ITS TINE TO MOVE PAST THIS MINOR SETBACK AND GET TO WORK! ANTHONY SEGOVIA FOR ANTIOCH CITY COUNCIL

In 2012, a state law bands anyone who was convicted as a felony after Jan. 1, 2013 from running for office in California. However, since Segovia’s convictions were prior to the law, he is still eligible to run.

Those on probation are also allowed to run for office and voting rights are still intact. The state law only bans felons from voting if they are currently in prison or on parole.