To the Clayton Community,
A Public Information Request (PIR) was filed with Contra Costa County by the Clayton Watch Team in response to serious concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the Civil Grand Jury report on the City of Clayton. After identifying substantial evidence that the report is deeply flawed — including factual inaccuracies, key omissions, and misleading conclusions — we felt it was necessary to pursue official answers and documentation.
As part of our effort to hold the Grand Jury accountable and restore public trust, we submitted a formal letter to the Presiding Judge of the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Below, you will find a copy of that letter, along with two responses we received from the Court’s Chief Counsel and another from the Public Information Officer.
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7-8-25
Hon. Terri Mockler , Supervising Judge
Contra Costa County Superior Court
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Dear Judge Mockler,
Under the California Public Records Act § 6250 et seq., we are requesting an opportunity to obtain copies of public records with respect to the Contra Costa County 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury. Specifically, we are requesting a copy of all the referral/complaint forms filed against the City of Clayton for the 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury investigation and Report 2505, dated May 16, 2025, titled “Clayton: Small City, Big Concerns” with the names of the persons filing the referrals/complaints redacted.
The California Public Records Act requires a response within ten business days If access to the records we are requesting will take longer, please contact us with information about when we might receive copies of the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify us of the appeal procedures available under the law.
Please email the records requested to: claytonwatch94517@gmail.com
Thank you for considering our request.
Bill Walcutt
Clayton Watch
Political Action Committee
FPPC ID #1471612
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Courts Response:
From: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2025 12:33 PM
To: claytonwatch94517@gmail.com
Cc: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Subject: Public Records Request
Good afternoon,
The Court has received your request for public records, attached. Thank you for your inquiry. This office coordinates these requests and responses thereto.
Please note that the California Public Records Act does not apply to the courts. (See Gov. Code § 7921.000 et seq.; Sander v. State Bar of California (2013) 58 Cal.4th 300, 309.) Rather, requests for judicial administrative records are governed by Rule 10.500 of the California Rules of Court. Responses identifying documents are ordinarily due within 10 days, or July 24, 2025. However, the rule permits the Court to extend that deadline by 14 days in certain circumstances. (See Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 10.500(e)(8).) Accordingly, the Court extends its deadline to provide an initial response to August 7, 2025. You will receive a response on or before that date.
Thank you,
Matt J. Malone
Chief Counsel and Public Information Officer
Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
925.608.2607
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Courts Second Response:
From: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Date: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Subject: Response to Public Records Request
To: claytonwatch94517@gmail.com <claytonwatch94517@gmail.com>
CC: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Good afternoon,
This email constitutes the Court’s response to your request for records under California Rule of Court 10.500. Specifically, you have requested “a copy of all the referral/complaint forms filed against the City of Clayton for the 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury investigation and Report 2505, dated May 16, 2025, titled ‘Clayton: Small City, Big Concerns’ with the names of the persons filing the referrals/complaints redacted.”
The Court has no judicial administrative records responsive to this request that are not otherwise exempt. (See Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 10.500 (f)(5) [exempting from disclosure records protected under state or federal law]; see Cal. Penal Code sections 911, 915, 924, 929; McClatchy Newspapers v. Superior Court (1988) 44 Cal.3d 1162, 1173 [confidentiality of grand jury proceedings and materials].) Redacting names does not impact the application of Rule 10.500(f)(5) where the materials themselves are confidential. Processes for any challenge to/appeal of the Court’s decision may be found in Rule 10.500(j) of the California Rules of Court.
Thank you for interest in the work of the Court.
Matt J. Malone
Chief Counsel and Public Information Officer
Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
925.608.2607
Courts Second Response:
From: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Date: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Subject: Response to Public Records Request
To: claytonwatch94517@gmail.com <claytonwatch94517@gmail.com>
CC: Media Information <mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov>
Good afternoon,
This email constitutes the Court’s response to your request for records under California Rule of Court 10.500. Specifically, you have requested “a copy of all the referral/complaint forms filed against the City of Clayton for the 2024-2025 Civil Grand Jury investigation and Report 2505, dated May 16, 2025, titled ‘Clayton: Small City, Big Concerns’ with the names of the persons filing the referrals/complaints redacted.”
The Court has no judicial administrative records responsive to this request that are not otherwise exempt. (See Cal. Rules of Ct., rule 10.500 (f)(5) [exempting from disclosure records protected under state or federal law]; see Cal. Penal Code sections 911, 915, 924, 929; McClatchy Newspapers v. Superior Court (1988) 44 Cal.3d 1162, 1173 [confidentiality of grand jury proceedings and materials].) Redacting names does not impact the application of Rule 10.500(f)(5) where the materials themselves are confidential. Processes for any challenge to/appeal of the Court’s decision may be found in Rule 10.500(j) of the California Rules of Court.
Thank you for interest in the work of the Court.
Matt J. Malone
Chief Counsel and Public Information Officer
Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
mediainfo@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
925.608.2607
What are they hiding from?
ReplyDeleteThey’re trying to hide the people that are playing political games. Look no further, you can thank Tamara Steiner, Holly Tillman, and Peter Cloven for this attack on our city.
DeleteAgree 100%
DeleteSeriously, Bill’s the real MVP. It’s not every day you find someone who actually gives a darn about the city. He's basically out here saving the day, one thoughtful decision at a time. Go get ‘em, Bill—you’ve got the whole city behind you!
ReplyDeleteI’m not surprised by the response. As a former civil grand jury member, I understand the importance of maintaining the complainant's privacy. That said, I believe the city's response to the complaint was both appropriate and well-toned.
ReplyDeleteIf they are wrong, why don’t they correct the report? Maybe there’s another way you can go about this. Thanks for trying and thanks for keeping things transparent.
ReplyDelete