For the record: Francisco Rivero tries to instill fear in the public by claiming that there are 10 federal civil rights lawsuits against the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Is that true? Who are the plaintiffs and what are their claims?

The following is public record.

The first “suit” is filed by a man with a long criminal history who received a broken leg when he fell off of a porch while resisting arrest for elder abuse. The county has already won this case once but this man has filed an appeal and this still constitutes a lawsuit.

The second “suit” is by a career criminal and serial plaintiff who claims his civil rights were violated because the sheriff will not allow him to smoke marijuana while he is in the county jail. The case is pending before the courts.

The third is a “suit” filed by a registered sex offender and serial plaintiff who is currently in San Quentin. The sex offender claims that the sheriff’s department allowed his girlfriend to take his property from his car after his last arrest and incarceration. The case is pending before the courts.

The fourth is a “suit” filed by a violent career criminal and serial plaintiff who is currently in custody at Pelican Bay. This career criminal is alleging excessive force by the officers who placed a control hold on his throat to keep him from swallowing bindles of cocaine during an arrest. The case is pending before the courts.

The fifth is the lawsuit filed by Bismarck Dinius, alleging that his rights were violated as a result of the charges filed against him. The case is pending before the courts.

Every county sheriff’s department receives complaints by career criminals. Serial plaintiffs are everywhere and for some people in custody it is a form of entertainment.

Francisco Rivero would have you believe that our sheriff’s department is routinely violating the civil rights of law abiding people.

Would Bismarck Dinius have a claim against the sheriff’s department if the district attorney had not filed charges? The answer is “no.”

The bottom line is that, once again, Francisco Rivero is telling another lie intended to create fear in the minds of law abiding citizens.

We cannot afford to give the responsibility of the office of sheriff to such a man.

Jeffrey Markham is a retired chief deputy sheriff. He lives in Lakeport, Calif.