California’s top cop to probe troubled sheriff’s office

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — California’s attorney general has announced a civil rights investigation into the troubled office of Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith. Wednesday’s announcement comes as Smith faces public corruption accusations from a civil grand jury and a no-confidence vote from the county’s board of supervisors. The county has had to pay out large settlements to mentally ill people who were severely injured while in jail custody. Smith said she welcomed the AG’s review and would cooperate immediately. In December, the civil grand jury accused Smith of favoring political supporters by granting them hard-to-get concealed-carry weapons permits. Smith has led the office since 1998.