TEHACHAPI, Calif. — The former Tehachapi City Council candidate charged with felony eavesdropping was found guilty to one count of unlawful recording of a confidential communication, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office.
The DA's office announced Friday James Clinton Davies, a Tehachapi City Council candidate who ran unsuccessfully in 2018, was convicted of illegally video recorded a private conversation with Tehachapi Police Chief Kroeger inside the Tehachapi Police Department on May 7, 2019. He then posted the video to a Facebook page called Tehachapi Rants and Raves.
California law requires two-party consent for any type of recording of the communication, including a private conversation or telephone call.
“The unlawful recording of confidential communications is illegal, and will be prosecuted when detected," said District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer. "Our public officials are subject to public scrutiny, but not to invasion of privacy.”
Davies is due back in court on Feb. 19 for sentencing. He faces up to 3 years in prison.
