Allegations swirl around El Dorado County judge candidate
By Carlos Alcalá, Sacramento Bee
The case of a fugitive jailed in Sacramento on federal fraud charges this week may have ramifications in the June 5 race for El Dorado Superior Court judge.
Daniel Chartraw, now held without bail on the fraud charges, was once represented by candidate Joseph A. Hoffman in another matter, and some observers question whether Hoffman acted properly on Chartraw’s behalf.
Hoffman’s supporters, including prominent members of the legal community, say they’ve seen no indication of any wrongdoing.
Hoffman’s publicist Greg Jones released a statement saying: “Judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals endorsing Joe know the law and see this for what it is: a desperate and politically motivated ploy that lacks any substance.”
Much of Hoffman’s connection to Chartraw comes out in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in February, accusing Chartraw of using interstate means to commit fraud in 2010 and 2011.
That complaint was used when Chartraw was arrested in San Ysidro in late April, after Mexican authorities detained him in Baja California.
There is more to Hoffman’s involvement with this guy, Chartraw that was outlined in the Sac Bee article. He allowed Chartraw to have access to his client trust account to funnel money, also there is a letter Hoffman wrote that was to “Attest” that his client, Chartraw, had six million in precious metal “dory bars” that was an apparent invention for unwary investors. Hoffman also appears to have violated numerous Rules of Prof. Conduct sections which could be a suspension or disbarment case at the State Bar. Hoffman should withdraw from this election.