By Michael Durand
It was brought to my attention yesterday that a letter we published on this website, “Engardio Deserves a Chance to Finish His Important Work,” was not written by the person whose name was attached to the letter.
The writer identified themselves as someone working in Supervisor Joel Engardio’s office. I was informed that the letter writer used the person’s name fraudulently – the real Engardio aide never wrote the piece.
I am calling on anyone who shared the link to take it down from any social media post or any other form of dissemination. Also, please delete any comment associated with the fraud. Perpetuating this lie could result in legal issues. I encourage those who shared the fraudulent letter to share a link to this column to help set the record straight.
I will also pause publishing any letter until I can take steps to verify the validity of the letter writer. (The scammer created a legitimate-looking email address.)
We are in the business of sharing the truth and telling stories about the west side. We are also striving to be a vehicle to share the voices of our neighbors. Unfortunately, bad actors have taken advantage of this great opportunity to share their thoughts with the community.
I apologize to the person who was unfairly impersonated and I apologize to Joel Engardio.
Michael Durand is the editor and publisher of the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon newspapers and RichmondSunsetNews.com.
Categories: From the Editor
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 
Thank for letting your readers know, Michael, and thank you for persisting in publishing at the local level. It’s such a great service.
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So more of the same from Engardio’s bought parade. Sam Singer wants a raise.
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It is difficult to figure out who and what we can trust, Michael, so it is good to know you were able to realize it was a phony identity, make a correction, and will check things out more thoroughly before publishing in the future. Thank you for that and for the forum you allow to our local community.
When myself and another in my household filed police reports after being threatened online and by phone due to our comments about diverted traffic in the immediate vicinity of our home being voluminous and dangerous when the Great Highway is closed, and for displaying a sign on our own property that night markets should be held by local businesses instead of by private residences, the police enlightened us about hidden online identities and intimidating political practices.
I have been one of the many unpaid volunteers who knocked on doors for the Yes Recall Engardio campaign to get out the vote, and instructions to volunteers have always included reminders to be respectful, polite, truthful, informative and grateful to people who answer the doors no matter how they vote. Hopefully, Joel with his camera crew and paid team will make an effort to do the same and be truthful to the residents with whom they engage, but since Joel has not been truthful or factual to me or his other constituents about his policies and agenda, my expectations are very low. I urge D4 voters to Vote Yes on A to recall Joel Engardio.
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