San Jose City Councilmember Omar Torres blasts accusations as ‘entirely false’

( KRON ) — A San Jose city councilmember who is being investigated by the San Jose Police Department blasted allegations leveled against him as baseless. Councilmember Omar Torres is the subject of an “active and ongoing” investigation, according to SJPD. Police are reportedly investigating sexual misconduct involving a minor.

According to a report in the San Jose Mercury News , Torres was served with a search warrant and detained. Sources cited by the newspaper indicate the investigation is related to “sexually explicit material” and an alleged inappropriate relationship.

On Thursday, Torres issued a statement to KRON4.com maintaining his innocence and suggesting the investigation was retaliatory.

“Today I was wrongfully detained and questioned by detectives regarding baseless allegations,” Torres said. “Let me be absolutely clear — these allegations are entirely false.”

Torres went on to say that he was cooperating with investigators and had turned over his passwords to police, adding “I have nothing to hide.”

The councilmember suggested that the investigation was retaliation.

“This detention was based on misinformation provided to law enforcement in response to a police report I filed against an individual for extortion and stalking and is a clear act of retaliation from this person,” he said.

Torres maintained that he was a “victim” in the matter and called the allegations, which he labeled as “attempts to discredit me,” “deeply troubling.”

Torres represents San Jose’s District 3 and was first elected in 2022. He is the first openly gay Latino to sit on any city council in Santa Clara County, according to his official bio .

KRON4.com reached out to the councilman’s attorney who provided a statement that read in part, “the allegation of a relationship with a minor is patently false.”

“Councilman Torres has never had a relationship with a minor,” the statement continued. “Any allegations to the contrary are nothing more than speculation or gossip.”

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