Former Santa Clara County Undersheriff Rick Sung pleaded guilty on September 21 to two felonies, concluding an eight-year investigation and prosecution into a bribery scandal involving the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and the approval of concealed weapons permits. The charges stem from incidents between 2017 and 2019, when the sheriff’s office allegedly pressured Apple’s security team to donate 200 iPads and a local insurance executive to provide luxury suite tickets to a San Jose Sharks game. These demands were reportedly made in exchange for hard-to-get permits to carry concealed weapons, also known as CCW licenses.
Under the plea agreement, Sung, 54, has agreed to complete 400 hours of community service and is permanently barred from serving as a law enforcement officer in California. After six months of probation and the successful completion of community service, the guilty plea will be set aside, and the case will be dismissed.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen issued a statement following the plea, emphasizing his office's commitment to enforcing the law "without fear or favor." Rosen added that law enforcement in Santa Clara County must be equally determined to be incorruptible as it is determined to protect the community.
Sung’s attorney, Tamara Crepet, stated that the plea agreement originated with the District Attorney’s Office. This deal was offered shortly before Sung was set to face a second trial on bribery charges, following a mistrial last year when the jury could not reach a verdict. Crepet noted that the offer guaranteed no custody time and ultimately a dismissal of the criminal case, leading Sung to prioritize his family, who had already endured significant challenges. Crepet also mentioned that Sung retired several years ago and is now focused on his family and finding new ways to serve the community where he worked for over two decades.
Margaret Petros, a local advocate for crime victims who has known Sung for 20 years, also suggested the District Attorney’s Office initiated the plea deal. In Petros’ view, prosecutors realized they had a weak case. Petros, speaking on her own behalf, criticized District Attorney Jeff Rosen, stating that "he abuses his powers" and retaliates against those who speak up against him. A spokesperson for Rosen declined to confirm if the settlement indeed came from the DA’s office.
The long-running scandal resulted in six prosecutions, though only one individual, former Capt. James Jensen, served jail time. Jensen received a 10-month sentence in 2024. The District Attorney’s investigation began in late 2018, shortly after then-Sheriff Laurie Smith won a re-election campaign. Smith and other top officials were accused of demanding favors in exchange for granting hard-to-get permits to carry concealed weapons, also known as CCW licenses.
Former Sheriff Laurie Smith, who held her position for 24 years, resigned in October 2022. Her resignation occurred just three days before a civil grand jury found her guilty on six charges of corruption and willful misconduct. Smith did not face prison time, as that proceeding was a civil, not criminal, trial.
Sung was promoted to undersheriff by Smith in July 2018. According to a July 10 court filing by the District Attorney, Sung was "essentially her campaign manager" that year and actively solicited endorsements and contributions. The District Attorney alleged that Sung deliberately held up approval of CCW licenses for the Apple security detail, which protected then-CEO Tim Cook, and for insurance executive Harpreet Chadha, until they performed favors for the sheriff. Furthermore, the District Attorney alleged that when Sung learned of the investigation in August 2019, he "reset his personal cell phone to factory settings, effectively permanently deleting its contents," apparently to remove compromising text messages.
Sung is scheduled to appear in Santa Clara County Superior Court on October 19 for sentencing.
A spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office stated that the department is aware of the court proceeding involving a former undersheriff and conduct dating back eight years. The spokesperson affirmed the department's current responsibility to serve the community with integrity, professionalism, and accountability, and expressed commitment to earning public confidence and strengthening trust in the sheriff’s office.
