“You don’t want to get arrested for drinking in public, right?” a Fremont police officer asked Fremont mayoral candidate Justin Sha outside a black-tie fundraiser last October for the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation.
Video of Sha’s interaction with Fremont police, a Fremont official who appears to be helping Sha get home safely, and the executive director of the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, has been circulating across Southern Alameda County politics for weeks as the campaign to unseat Fremont Mayor Lily Mei begins to ramp up.
When Sha, seen with a drunken wobble in the video, disagrees with the officer’s assessment of his state of mind, she added, “You just admitted to drinking.”
The incident referenced has no bearing on my ability to guide Fremont into a new generation of progressive leadership.
-Justin Sha, Fremont mayoral candidate.
“Did I ever admit to drinking?” Sha said as the police officer walks away.
A woman, believed to be a Fremont Councilmember Teresa Keng, sided with the officer and tells Sha, “You did!”
“I never said… I said I drank three beers,” Sha stammered.
Sha and Keng then walked toward a SUV with its driver’s side door open. Two other individuals, including Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Angus Cochran, is heard repeating, “You can’t drive. You can’t drive.”
Cochran later encourages Sha to walk toward the passenger side door so another could drive him home. But Sha didn’t immediately move and refuted claims that he was slurring his speech.
“During the referenced incident, I did not drive home, nor did I attempt to do so,” Sha said in an email. “While I remain committed to putting my best foot forward at all times — as a leader, a son, and a friend — there will always be room for growth and learning. The incident referenced has no bearing on my ability to guide Fremont into a new generation of progressive leadership. I greatly look forward to bringing our community together both during and after this campaign.”
Sha is among five candidates challenging incumbent Fremont Mayor Mei this fall. In 2018, Sha finished third in a highly-competitive race for the new District 4 seat on the Fremont City Council.
This is not Sha’s first brush with controversy during this current mayoral campaign. The Bay Area Reporter published an article last month challenging Sha’s claim, made since his 2018 run for the Fremont City Council, that he is a lawyer. Sha admitted he is not, but actually a law clerk. “Yes, I definitely made a mistake and should have been more careful. I’ve done a lot of self-reflection since the election and I’m definitely still learning,” he told the newspaper.
In the video, in which Sha is inebriated, he barks at the departing Fremont police officer. “She’s walking away because she knows,” Sha said, and then added, “I’m a lawyer.”
ebcitizen.com 
Be Quiet. You win.
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I don’t care if I’m 5 months late, your comment is stupid and I’m gonna call you out on it lol. Also, if you have no interest in fighting me, then sit down in your corner and shut up instead of responding to me at 7 in the morning. 😂 Pathetic.
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Dear Be Quiet, you clearly have issues with timeliness. You are 5 months late to the party. I have no interest in fighting with you. You have nothing to say.
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Stephen, sorry, I am real. I mixed you up with Justin Sha. He was who I commented upon. If you thought that was an attack, sorry, I made an error. I commented on wanting to know your positions. You never commented on them, just that you believe drinking and driving is no good and against the law. I agree. Sorry to cause you the entertainment.
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Dear ClarkeIsAnIdiot, I see you have trouble responding in a timely fashion to comment within its time. This was before the election. Now it is 5 months later. You are a bit late, out of touch and afraid to use your name. Laugh Alone.
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He and Assemblymember Evan Low (Coincidentally both gay Asians) have a lot of dirt. A lot a lot a lot a lot of dirt. They are very corrupt and elitist and controversial. Oh, and arrogant.
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You either a) have nothing better to do other than pick fights on social media, b) are lonely, or c) both. Sit down and be quiet, “Thomas_Clarke.”
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Shut up white trash lol.
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How immature, hostile, and rude.
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There is video of him speaking to the law enforcement officer. He’s rude, hostile, and very clearly slurring his words. Then, it was still a longer debate about him NOT driving. In another video taken approximately 10 minutes before he left the event, he was refused wine and then grabbed a glass and downed it. Absolutely not acceptable behavior.
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Lawrence, speaking the truth is always a defense that will vindicate you. Justin has problems telling the truth and holding his liquor. If he is elected he will join a fraternity that has long enjoyed freedom from exposure. The electorate deserves better than to have liars and drunks in office representing them. Your allegations of much worse actions promulgated by mayoral candidate Sha seem like you are a partisan of his opponents. As near as I can tell Justin needs no assistance in self character assassination. If you are agent on anonymous opponents, you are not much better than he is and possibly worse.
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In order to respect and maintain anonymity and identity of the accusers, I will abstain from doing so as they decide when/how/if to come forward.
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Lawrence, do tell. Justin has a devoted following. My guess is that none of them read this column. He is a pathetic example of a mistake waiting to be approved by voters who are voting on behalf of a name and endorsement.
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I’m surprised this is all that’s gotten out so far–he’s been seen doing much worse on multiple occasions. Maybe more will come out at a later time.
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His mother loves him. His dad is proud.
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LoL, he has issues. Completely unqualified to be mayor or even a public official.
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Maybe this could be the lead for another story on this guy. LOL
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Wow! He did it again. In 2018 when he was running for Fremont City Council District 4, he claimed that he was a lawyer. He did not admit he lied until this year. https://www.ebar.com/news/latest_news//296032
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Mr. Sha claims to be a professor in his ballot statement. In fact, his title at Ohlone College should be “instructor” per United Faculty of Ohlone College Contract Article 16.3 on Ohlone College’s website. https://www.ohlone.edu/sites/default/files/ufo_20172020final_accessible.pdf
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This is so embarrassing to Fremont. I hope Mr. Sha withdraws his candidacy for mayor of Fremont.
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Stephen, I apologize for mixing you up with Justin Sha.
Where do you stand on Housing? Do you want higher density and more affordable housing? Or do you want more housing at market rates?
Where do you stand on Homeless? Do you favor more housing for them as well as funding for mental health and services for them? Or do you want the homeless to go to Hayward or Oakland?
Where do you stand on Crime. Do you favor local gun control enhancements? Do you want more funding for the police? Do you want to see a Citizen Police Commission? Do you want to see more vigorous traffic enforcement on streets parallel to 880 and 680?
Where do you stand on park amenities? Do you want to abate the geese? Do you want to restrict access by the Homeless?
How do feel about Rent Control?
Or do you want to say nothing?
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Varun, You are correct. Stephen Ho, sorry to have mixed you up with Justin Sha, who should not be voted for. I hope Justin withdraws his candidacy or at least quits campaigning. He is an embarrassment.
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Angry people open their mouth and shut off their eyes and ears. I said I will stop, now I add one more. I in fact wanted to delete ALL my comments from this platform, unfortunately it does not allow me. Bye Bye for sure.
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Thomas_Clark you do realize you are mistaking Stephen Ho with Justin Sha…..?
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Stephen Ho has reason to believe that I am an AI machine. Tell me why you think that is true. You, Stephen, are a good example of how a poor choice by voters could have sad results. You should be defeated.
“Stephen Ho commented on Fremont mayoral candidate to police: ‘Did I ever admit to drinking? I said I drank three beers’.
in response to Thomas_Clarke:
Anonymous, I was not replying to you. I was commenting on Stephen Ho. I have no idea what your comment, “Whaaaa???? was about, what it referenced or what you meant. I am not running for office. Now that you have written, I will comment. The candidates for Mayor and Council are doing their best I […]
I have a reason to believe Thomas Clarke might be an AI machine? I Stephen, responded without signing in, so it became Anonymous. Now viewing Thomas’s reply and attack, it seems the machine is thinking Stephen is running for the Mayoral seat~! OMG, I will stop right here after this post. Amazing experience, thanks for the entertainment.
For the record, I believe of course that drinking and driving is no good, against the law, Police must deal with it.”
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I have a reason to believe Thomas Clarke might be an AI machine? I Stephen, responded without signing in, so it became Anonymous. Now viewing Thomas’s reply and attack, it seems the machine is thinking Stephen is running for the Mayoral seat~! OMG, I will stop right here after this post. Amazing experience, thanks for the entertainment.
For the record, I believe of course that drinking and driving is no good, against the law, Police must deal with it.
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Anonymous, I was not replying to you. I was commenting on Stephen Ho. I have no idea what your comment, “Whaaaa???? was about, what it referenced or what you meant. I am not running for office. Now that you have written, I will comment. The candidates for Mayor and Council are doing their best I guess. Stephen is irresponsible and not worth a vote in my opinion. His drinking and driving, assertions that he is a lawyer are at best indications of low character and are the best signs I know to not get support. The others have stayed clear of this site recently. I agree that it is irresponsible to drink and drive. I am in favor of very rigid penalties for drinking and driving, as exist in Europe. In short, lifetime loss of driving privilege, compulsory sale of all vehicles, and an exceptional fine to an endowment for victim’s rights. I think that people who represent themselves as attorneys are of very low character and do not deserve respect or support. Attorneys have their own issues, but they earned their position. Stephen Ho has not. He is not worthy of a vote in my opinion. I thnk you share a similar point of view. If not respond.
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Stephen, so what is your answer? You appear to think that it is OK to have 3 beers and it is safe to drive. It is not safe to drive. You are a danger to the public. You need to alter your practices, discontinue this campaign and prove you are capable of being responsible.
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That was me a minute ago…. Stephen
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Thomas, my last reply.
I am not running for Mayor seat, ask those to the 6 candidates.
As for drink and drive, police will take care of it. It is not good. That is the only thing this article covers, and I answer your question. It is not responsible to drink and drive.
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Stephen, so what is your position on driving while drunk? What is your position on drunken and stoned homeless. What is your position on making sure that people can access food during COVID19? What is your position on residents leaving Alameda County to gain access to services that are banned in Fremont. What is your position on Fireworks? What is your position on having the City and the County remove campaign signing? What is your position on the city placing speed bumps on traffic pathways to discourage jumping off Freeways.
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Biden vs Trump, I can understand. For a local Mayoral candidates, let’s hear their positions on Fremont pressing need to rise up handling our key issues, covid19, tax revenue shortfall, housing, homeless, crime, traffic, wasteful spending, and other inequity issues…. Let’s stop. Let us hear the aforementioned issues~!
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Whaaaa????
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This candidate seems to have a hard time telling the truth, which goes to credibility. He is now following in the current trend in each of his elections attempts, in attacking his opponents instead of showing what real credentials he has or what new ideas he will bring to the position.
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Stephen, your position on driving while drunk is that it is OK as long as you are not caught. I am guessing that you do not think that drinking and driving is a crime if it involves you. So are you in favor of drinking in public housing common areas, in public, in cars and the like. Or, are you feeling like the Police were ganging up on you and other members of the political Asian community and not treating you equally like all the others? Good luck in the election. Hope that the eligible voters do not read or listen to much about you. I suspect that you and Teresa are allied. Are you pro Taiwan, pro Hong Kong or in line with the PRC?
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Let’s hear all 6 candidate’s positions on Fremont issues, like housing, homeless, crime, traffic, park amenity, other services.
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Justin is clearly under the influence. He is not falling down drunk, but after three beers he is likely over a .8 BA. It is good that he is not a lawyer as a DUI could get him disbarred or at least called up before the Bar. Claiming to be a lawyer when one is a clerk or paralegal is also grounds for disbarment. In the company of Teresa Keng, Justin is in good company. I hope the voters understand what they are getting. oh, they probably know. Just one more Fremont council person who can be bought and dined and wined and server their interests. Teresa is a walking example of that.
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