South Bay prosecutors are accusing a Gilroy man of sending a series of threatening letters to Santa Clara County’s top health official.
Viarengo is also accused of sending "a disturbing letter" to the widow of that sheriff’s deputy containing "language mocking the death of Sgt. (Damon) Gutzwiller and also wishing death upon more law enforcement officers."
It had been previously reported that Dr. Cody was facing threats, though little was revealed at that time of that story in June. Dr. Cody was one of the first in the country, along with other Bay Area leaders, to enact shelter-in-place orders.
The county has been slower than most in allowing businesses to reopen, dealing with a high number of coronavirus cases and related deaths.
An attorney representing the 55-year-old Viarengo is pushing back against the charges, accusing law enforcement of traumatizing his client and his family.
As frustrations connected with shelter-in-place orders boil over, Dr. Cody isn’t the first public health officer to face threats. The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has also said he and his family have faced threats during the coronavirus pandemic.
The investigation remains ongoing.