Jacob Naven believes Gary Singh is trying to buy votes in the Nov. 3 Manteca’s mayor’s race.

That’s the bottom line of a complaint the Naven campaign filed with San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas on Monday.

A spokesman for Freitas indicated they received the complaint 4:55 p.m. and “will not be commenting further on this matter.”

The complaint stems from Singh’s weekly Thursday video series focusing on Manteca businesses that he posts to social media.

The video profiles Alexander Chiropractic that has opened in the former Lowe’s Chiropractor building on North Street.

After a snapshot interview conducted by Singh of the chiropractic services, Dr. Matt Alexander ends by saying “And, you know what, we love you so much as mayor, that anyone who comes in and says they voted for you as mayor any time between now and the election Nov. 3 we will give them $50 off their first visit here.”

Singh replies, “Wow, that’s awesome you know what? It does pay off to vote for your mayor.”

Alexander on Monday stressed that it was an unscripted comment, noting he would not have said it if he knew it wasn’t right to do so.

Alexander said no one has asked for the discount which he said applies to all first-time patients regardless of who they vote for mayor or don’t vote at all.

“This is not just another example of Gary Singh’s ongoing bullying tactics and disregard for ethical norms; it is a blatant, documented violation of election integrity laws," said Naven campaign consultant and spokesperson Tim Rosales.

"Offering financial discounts to buy votes undermines the bedrock of our democratic process. Gary Singh has put a ‘For Sale’ sign on Manteca for years, and now it seems he’s trying to buy votes.

Singh, on Monday, said he did not know what Alexander was going to say. He said it unfolded in a joking manner.

“I own it,” Singh said of the exchange. “I recognize the oversight and I take ownership of it.”

Rosales contends to “ensure maximum reach, Singh promoted the illegal enticement on his social media page, instructing residents: ‘And make sure you watch and listen until the end for a special discount offer!"

In a press release regarding the offer that Rosales characterized as a $50 financial enticement” to secure voters, he listed two laws that he wants Freitas’ office to weigh when reviewing the complaint:

*California Elections Code § 18522 explicitly makes it a crime to pay, offer, or contribute any valuable consideration to induce a voter to vote for a specific candidate or to reward them for doing so.

*18 U.S.C. § 597 prohibits expenditures intended to induce a person to vote or withhold their vote, punishable by fines and up to a year in prison.

This is not the first time the district attorney’s office has handled a complaint involving Manteca politics.

Back in 2000 during the battle over whether to move forward with the Big League Dreams sports complex that was the subject of council meetings over nearly three years, then Councilwoman Denise Giridano filed a complaint after BLD founder Rick Oderkirk pointed a finger at her during a heated council debate.

Giordano perceived the gesture as a threat.

After investigating the matter, the DA declined to prosecute.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com