In January 2022, Corey Glave (Glave), an attorney privately retained by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA), sent five (5) separate letters to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) requesting the OCDA initiate a criminal investigation against Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin (Chief Valentin). The letters were sent for a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to: to exert undue pressure for personal gain, to gain leverage and advantage in civil litigation filed by the SAPOA and its President Gerry Serrano against the City and Chief Valentin, to intimidate witnesses, suppress free speech and participation and importantly to attempt to suppress the performance of lawful actions by the Chief or the City against Glave’s client, the SAPOA and Serrano. Following OCDA Todd Spitzer’s unilateral decision that a conflict of interest existed, he referred the allegations in those letters to the California Office of Attorney General (OAG) for review.
On July 14, 2023, after reviewing complaints, correspondence, pleadings and other documents involving allegations of misconduct within the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), the OAG sent official written determination that criminal charges are not warranted and that the OAG would take no further action.
For 33 years, Chief Valentin has dedicated his personal and professional life to law enforcement by serving and protecting the public. When asked about his thoughts about the OAG’s letter clearing him and the Department he serves, Chief Valentin stated, “The reckless and baseless allegations by Glave, and his clients, against me threaten public confidence and jeopardize public safety. It is a crime to make a false criminal report for personal, political and/or financial gain, directly or on behalf of any client. On behalf of the overwhelmingly ethical men and women of the SAPD, and on behalf of the Santa Ana community we serve, I am grateful the OAG conducted a thorough assessment and review. The outcome of the comprehensive review confirms neither I nor SAPD has engaged in any criminal conduct or any misconduct that would warrant a criminal investigation. We will continue to stay the course to protect and serve the Santa Ana community in an ethical, legal and empathetic manner.”
