Bay Area

Family of Late Police Captain Pushes for Prosecution of Ex-Fremont City Manager for Embezzlement, Fraud

A statement from Bobbitt’s family reads: “Captain Fred “Freddie” Bobbitt was a man of high integrity. He often said that he was willing to risk retaliation for doing the right thing, including confronting government corruption at its highest levels. Captain Bobbitt believed that high-ranking public officials should be held to a higher standard due to the public trust of their positions.”

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2022

Oakland Post

Police Capt. Fred ‘Freddie’ Bobbitt.

By Post Staff

The family of late Police Captain Fred “Freddie” Bobbitt is pushing for prosecution of former Fremont City Manager Mark Danaj, who is facing charges of embezzlement and fraud.

Danaj was arraigned on March 9 and his next court date is April 6.

According to Captain Bobbitt’s family members, learning that Danaj was charged with criminal charges was a painful reminder of how Captain Bobbitt had endured retaliation at the hands of Danaj and other city officials. While in his position as Fremont City Manager, Danaj had unsuccessfully attempted to force Bobbitt out of the Fremont Police Department.

A statement from Bobbitt’s family said:

“Captain Fred “Freddie” Bobbitt was a man of high integrity. He often said that he was willing to risk retaliation for doing the right thing, including confronting government corruption at its highest levels. Captain Bobbitt believed that high-ranking public officials should be held to a higher standard due to the public trust of their positions.

“So, we will continue his fight by pushing for prosecution. We are also pursuing the opportunity to testify in front of government bodies regarding the need to fight government corruption in City municipalities, while also highlighting the impact it has on honest employees, and how it affects the community’s trust.”

Before Danaj’s upcoming court date, the District Attorney will face pressure from Bobbitt’s family to prosecute the former City Manager. Between September 2019 and September 2021, Bobbitt had urged the City of Fremont to investigate Danaj for corruption and misuse of his position.

Bobbitt passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 21, 2022, and was honored by the Fremont Police Department, elected officials, and the community during a 2,000-person Memorial Service, along with a 4-mile-long law enforcement funeral procession.

Bobbitt’s family members said that in September 2020, Danaj attempted to use his position to force Bobbitt out of the Fremont Police Department in retaliation for Bobbitt’s calls to investigate Danaj for corruption.

On April 26, 2021, at a Town Hall meeting held by Bobbitt’s supporters to prevent Bobbitt from being forced out, it was revealed that Danaj had been cited for a domestic incident earlier that month.

On Sept. 15, 2021, Danaj was arrested in San Francisco and cited again in a separate domestic violence incident. On Sept. 30, 2021, Danaj abruptly resigned as Fremont City Manager. Many believe that the Fremont City Council may have forced Danaj out after being informed of his numerous criminal incidents, as well as the mounting pressure from Bobbitt’s supporters to investigate Danaj for misusing his position.

In a new set of criminal charges, Danaj was arraigned on March 9, 2022, charged with Felony Embezzlement 504 PC, and Felony Misappropriation of Public Funds 424 PC.

During Danaj’s tenure in Fremont, Bobbitt had challenged Danaj on his mischaracterization of the Police Department and the police union, which some have alleged to have been among the issues that led to the two-year conflict between the two city officials.

In February 2022, the Fremont City Council received a briefing on a binding arbitration decision that ruled in Bobbitt’s favor, which clearly established that Danaj and others had retaliated against Bobbitt.

In September of 2020, Danaj had attempted to push Bobbitt to resign by offering him his full pension, plus a cash payout of approximately $99,900, which is slightly under the $100,000 limit that would have required the City Council’s approval.

After Bobbitt refused to resign, Danaj had Bobbitt removed as the Commander of Patrol, reassigned him to the Animal Shelter, and placed him on a Performance Improvement Plan. The binding arbitration ruling required the City to reinstate Bobbitt as Commander of Patrol and invalidate the Performance Improvement Plan.

Danaj is being represented by Danny O’Malley, brother of Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley.