Monterey County Sheriff seen parked in a handicap spot during the Kiddie Kapers Parade, says she has placard

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – A photo obtained by KION shows the county work car that Monterey County Sherriff Tina Nieto drives parked in a handicap zone. This photo was taken on July 14, 2024 on Lincoln Avenue.

The photo was taken just days after KION reported that Sheriff Nieto was pulled over at least three times for speeds over 90 mph by the CHP in King City.

We have reached out to the Sheriff for comment, and a spokesperson for the Sheriff told KION that Nieto has a handicap placard because she drives her parents around sometimes.

Sheriff Nieto's office stated that her parents were in the car that day and then rode in the golf cart with her during the parade. Witnesses tell KION that they did not see the Sheriff's parents in the car.

Commander Andres Rosas with the Sheriff's Office said that California law allows people to use handicap placards if a passenger inside the vehicle has been assigned that placard.

KION initially reached out to the Sheriff's Office on July 23 regarding this incident with commentary one day.