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Councilman charged with battery and drunkenness
Ex-mayor Jim Roberts says he'll plead 'not guilty' to charges
By Sam Scott
Jim Roberts, the longest-serving member of the Sunnyvale City Council, was arrested Thursday for allegedly battering Surjit Singh, a taxicab driver.
Police say Roberts took a cab to a 7-Eleven convenience store at 1039 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Ave. and did not pay his fare. According to the police report, Roberts "hit the driver twice in the neck, causing redness and pain."
Roberts allegedly left the scene and was found a few blocks away. Police said he was "intoxicated and unable to care for himself in a public place."
Contacted at home, Roberts said he will keep his comments to a minimum while the case proceeds.
"I have no official comment now," Roberts said. "I'm going to plead 'not guilty' to all charges."
According to Sunnyvale spokesperson Dan Rich, Roberts was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors: public drunkenness, defrauding an innkeeper (an antiquated category that includes cab drivers) and misdemeanor assault. He was booked and released.
Councilmember Roberts reportedly had been on Murphy Street attending a party thrown by Mayor Pat Vorreiter for council and staff earlier that night. Councilmembers learned of the situation in early morning calls from the city manager's office.
Vice Mayor Jack Walker, who has served with Roberts for four years, says the charges don't fit with what he knows of Roberts' character.
"I'm really surprised," Walker says. "Jim's really amiable. I'm not going to get worked up about it."
Councimember Julia Miller says she doesn't know Roberts well personally, but has high professional regard for him. "I think the world of him," Miller says.
Councilmember Fred Fowler, whose concerns about propriety led to a ethics hearing on former Councilmember Stan Kawczynski, says he doesn't know enough yet to comment. "I don't know what to think," Fowler says. "I better not say anything at this point."
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
