Brentwood Councilwoman’s Husband Crashes Funeral to Approach Father Robert

On Tuesday, Father Robert Rien responded to several statements made in a recent video posted by Brentwood Councilmember Jovita Mendoza.

The video comes after her husband, Michael Kleeman, crashed a funeral to speak with Father Robert which prompted Rien to meet with the Antioch Police Department to document the exchange after he felt threatened.

Political Mailer sent out by Mendoza.

This stems from an ongoing dispute over political postcards sent out by Mendoza that included a photograph of Father Robert giving the appearance he was endorsing her campaign. Father Robert Rien is the pastor at St. Ignatius Church in Antioch, who is also the Chaplain for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Rien has come out publicly to ask for the photograph to be removed, a retraction and an apology—even issuing a public comment at the Oct 22 Brentwood City Council Meeting (see below) where he says Mendoza has not responded and has asked the council to censure for her actions.

In an 8-minute video Mendoza made several statements:

• She accused Father Robert of lying of not knowing her
• She doubted Father Robert even wrote the letters or public comment
• Claims Father Robert was getting pressure from “special interest” groups to speak out
• Says husband went down to meet Father Robert to clear the air.
• Claims long history with Father Robert

Here is the Q&A with Father Robert:

Did you write the email and public comment?”

Yes, I did. At no time was anyone involved influencing me or encouraging me to write them. No one was requesting me to do this or getting me to do this on behalf of everyone else. That was my response to the mailer and my expectation was it would be withdrawn and an apology would be issued,” said Father Robert.

He further explained this happened with another candidate, who immediately took responsibility by taking it down and apologized. The candidate also offered to speak on his behalf with Father Robert’s superiors.

Mendoza says her husband met with you, can you explain what transpired?

“I had literally moments before finished a huge funeral. As I was walking down the isle with mourners all around, he appeared in the last pew and jumped up. He introduced himself. He told me his name, I was stunned and asked him about his father who I knew and he confirmed. I met his father in 1977. I had dinner with them once while I was a priest at the parish. It was not the beginning of a life long relationship and have had no contact with them,” said Father Robert.

He continued.

“People who know me, I visit their homes and celebrate holidays with them. I didn’t even know who Michael or Jovita were, or were married before this incident. I had no idea he was her husband, I thought their last name was Mendoza not Kleeman. I didn’t even know she was married to someone who had a different name,” stated Father Robert.

At any point during the conversation with Jovita Mendoza’s husband, did you feel threatened or intimidated?

“I did. He told me no more letters and pointed his finger at me and turned around and left. He also threatened to go to the Bishop and report me. My response was the bishop already knew because I wrote him and told him what happened,” said Father Robert.

He said the conversation that occurred was less than 3-feet apart and he was angry.

“It was not a friendly conversation,” said Father Robert. “I ended up meeting with the Antioch Police Chief to report the incident. Antioch Police took the information and said they would monitor the situation going forward.”

Roberts added when Kleeman showed up, he said Mendoza was a “wreck” because this had gotten out of hand and nails were apparently placed near their drive-way.

Mendoza says she has known you for 30-years. Is this true?

“She has not been a part of my life at all. Her statements are a huge stretch and it is an exaggeration. The first contact I had with her was at the Station 92 push-in ceremony followed by the email requesting she remove my photo from campaign material,” said Father Robert.

Claim that Brian Oftedal and the Fire District pressured you into speaking out?

“The big thing is I am directed by bishop and chief, I am never allowed to speak out. I wanted to clear my name to not appear like I was endorsing anyone. I am not allowed to endorse or support any candidate running for any public office.  The use of this photograph gives the impression that I am supportive of her in her candidacy which is not possible nor allowed.”

Antioch Police Chief Brian Addington confirmed Tuesday Father Robert did come to the Antioch Police Department to document the incident that occurred at his parish last week. Addington did not share any other details other than no crime had occurred by police standards based on the interaction.

The Brentwood Police Department has not yet responded to if there have been any reports of nails outside the home of Councilmember Mendoza as Kleeman claimed to Father Robert.

1:04 pm Update: Brentwood Police Captain David Schroer says, “Our Dispatch has not received any reports of nails in Councilwoman Mendoza’s driveway or near her home.”

On October 22, Father Robert submitted the following public comment to the Brentwood City Council Meeting

Previous

• Oct 18 – Despite Campaign Mailers, Father Robert Rien Does Not Endorse Any Candidate
• Oct 15 – Mendoza Has Not Signed Brentwood Code of Conduct Policy

Other Media Coverage

• Oct 25 – ‘It’s disingenuous’: Brentwood pastor calls out councilwoman over apparent fake endorsement (KTVU)
• Oct 22  – Brentwood councilwoman’s use of fire chaplain’s photo without permission, claim of fire district merger accomplishments challenged (Contra Costa Herald)