Attorney says police officer misconduct allegations untrue

Contrary to claims in a summary detailing Granucci’s alleged misconduct, Cockrell claimed a woman suspected of driving under the influence tried to start a relationship with the officer in an effort have her charges dropped.

“She attempted to initiate a personal relationship with Mr. Granucci, including texting him her home address, and then she manipulated the situation for her own personal gain,” according to a statement from Cockrell. Granucci could not be reached for further comment.

Such an account runs counter to a city report released Monday, Jan. 7, suggesting Granucci surreptitiously took the phone number of a woman arrested in early March and scheduled an appointment at her house where he propositioned her, according to the report released Monday, Jan. 7.

The woman refused his advance and reported Granucci, leading to an investigation unveiling a series of similar transgressions which gave way to his departure from the department, according to the summary released in accordance with a new law requiring police to adhere to more public records requests.

Senate Bill 1421, authored by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, is designed to enhance the authority of those seeking more information about police misconduct.

Cockrell though noted the law has been challenged by opponents over the amount of time it should be allowed to span into the past, and suggested the city acted too promptly in disclosing sensitive information.

“Mr. Granucci is disappointed that the care and concern that he has shown in his public service for nearly two decades — to males and females alike — could be misconstrued and manipulated in such a manner by the department. He is also disappointed that the city would disclose confidential peace officer personnel records, as the retroactivity of the new Public Records Act statute is unresolved,” she said.

Burlingame Police Chief Mike Matteucci though said in an email the department complied with requirements mandated under the new law and will adjust if there are future changes.

Mayor Donna Colson lauded the prompt response by the city and expressed her appreciation that Burlingame was among the first cities in the state to adhere to the recent regulations.

A summary from the department detailed an apparent series of policy violations committed by Granucci beyond the alleged incident earlier this year. In 2017, he initiated a sexual relationship lasting several months with a woman who he met while trying to serve an arrest warrant for her son. Two years earlier, Granucci also solicited a sexual relationship from a woman he met while she was being arrested for a warrant, according to the summary.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said his department elected not to pursue charges following the initial report of Granucci’s misconduct, but suggested he may reconsider that position in light of the additional allegations. Police investigators examining the March report claimed he lied to cover up those incidents, which ultimately led to his firing, according to the report.

But the information shared by the department was inaccurate, claimed Cockrell, who suggested her client was not fired but instead accepted a monetary settlement when he voluntarily resigned. Matteucci said the department accepted his resignation after Granucci appealed his firing.

In all, Cockrell said Granucci disputes a majority of the information shared by the department.

“The information the city released about David Granucci is false and incomplete,” said Cockrell.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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