Antioch

Former Antioch Officer Convicted of Conspiracy Against Civil Rights Amid Police Misconduct Scandal

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OAKLAND, Calif. — A federal jury has found former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger guilty of conspiracy against rights, a verdict delivered on September 18, 2025, after a week-long trial. This conviction is part of a significant federal and state investigation into widespread police misconduct in the East Bay, further undermining public trust in law enforcement. Wenger, 33, had served on the Antioch Police Department, where prosecutors argued that he colluded with fellow officers to inflict unreasonable force on local residents. Testimony and evidence revealed that Wenger and others discussed using excessive measures, including police … Read more

Antioch City Council Set for Busy Session: Pay Raises, New City Manager, and Key Ordinances on the Agenda

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Antioch, Calif. – The Antioch City Council has a busy agenda slated for its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, where members will consider issues ranging from managerial appointments to legislative changes impacting residents’ eviction protections. The council will address a multitude of important decisions that could reshape the city’s administrative and social landscape. One of the key topics on the docket is the possible appointment of Bessie Marie Scott as the new city manager with a two-year contract. This move, however, comes less than two months before the city could see a shift in the council’s … Read more

Grand Jury Exposes Governance Flaws in Antioch, Urges Leadership to Respect Boundaries and Fill Staff Vacancies

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Antioch, CA — A recent investigation by the Contra Costa County Grand Jury into Antioch’s City Council activities under Mayor Lamar Thorpe has unveiled significant operational and managerial issues. The findings revealed probable violations of the Brown Act, which mandates transparency in public agency meetings, and inappropriate interventions in hiring and other administrative functions typically reserved for the City Manager. The turmoil includes a notably high turnover among city managers and an alarming 21.6% vacancy rate in city employment as of February 2024, starkly contrasting the national average of 5.3% for local and state government … Read more