Judge rules in favor of recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

( KRON ) — On Wednesday, KRON4 reported that backers of the recall effort against Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao were going to be dragged into court Friday for failing to turn over documents to Oakland's Public Ethics Commission. The commission is investigating the recall group for possible campaign finance violations.

On Thursday, new information emerged suggesting that a hearing may not take place.

In a tentative ruling, an Alameda County Superior Court Judge has determined the public ethics commission overstepped, and in fact, its document request was too broad and, ultimately, unconstitutional.

Recall backers say this is what they have been saying all along.

“It’s mind-boggling why the Public Ethics Commission continues and decides to come after us,” said President of Thao Recall Committee Brenda Harbin-Forte. “We objected and opposed subpoenas constitutional principles… I believe in the rule of the law. You have to do things properly. I don’t care how important you think your work is, you have to follow the Constitution. You have to follow governing rules and regulations.”

The recall committee says it has filed financial disclosures on donors since the campaign began and will continue to do so. If the Public Ethics Commission accepts the tentative ruling, it will take effect and Friday's court hearing will be canceled.

If they challenge it, the hearing will go on as planned.

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