The Murky Link Between Oakland's D.A. Pamela Price and Her Boyfriend's Employment

Antwon Cloird, the boyfriend of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, was employed at her administration with a six-figure salary, raising nepotism concerns within the district attorney's office.

Cloird, a Richmond community organizer with a controversial past, was bestowed the title of Senior Program Specialist within the district attorney's Resentencing and Re-Entry Unit for incarcerated individuals, according to KRON4. Critics point to the lack of transparency in this hiring process and argue that it creates an appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest.

Setting aside the relationship between Price and Cloird, Cloird's past is not devoid of controversy. In 2015, Richmond's mayor, city manager, and police chief suspected that he extorted Richmond business owners for thousands of dollars, claiming that he could expedite permits if they paid him fees ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. This eventually attracted the attention of the FBI, however, Cloird was never charged. His reputation as someone who can navigate the system for personal gain leaves a cloud of uncertainty over his newfound position.

These concerns are compounded by the fact that Alameda County lacks a clear nepotism policy, which has long been an issue among good government advocacy groups. This lack of a policy creates challenges in holding public officials accountable for potential conflict of interests stemming from relationships within the workplace.

Former Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Erin Loback told the The Mercury News that Cloird had given her lists of inmates he believed should be freed early. Intriguingly, when Loback questioned Cloird about the origin of these names, his response was vague, offering no meaningful clarification.

As district attorneys are held to high standards of ethical conduct and professionalism, these potential conflicts of interest call into question the underlying motives for such hires.