SANTA CRUZ >> As the jury trial of Watsonville City Councilman Jimmy Dutra continued into its fourth day Thursday, Dutra took to the stand to once again deny that he sexually assaulted a minor in 2005 and that the impact of the lawsuit has had a negative impact on his personal life and professional career.

Dutra, who is a candidate in this year’s council election, was accused in a 2022 civil lawsuit of “sexually, physically and emotionally” abusing Stephen Siefke during a family vacation in Los Angeles in 2005 when Siefke was 12 and Dutra was 30. Dutra has rejected the allegations, calling them “baseless.”

The lawsuit claims that Siefke was on vacation with Dutra’s family when Dutra allegedly engaged in unwanted sexual advances and genital touching while Siefke was attempting to sleep on an air mattress. Siefke’s parents allegedly attempted to report the incident to law enforcement at the time, but Siefke was too ashamed to speak with police over it. He claims he suffered guilt, shame and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder afterward.

Siefke, who grew up in Watsonville, returned to the area in 2020 and was reminded of the incident as Dutra was making a bid for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors two years later, an election which he later lost. Dutra’s campaign cited his work with youth as board president of Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance and as an after-school substitute teacher at Lakeview Middle School, which prompted Siefke to file the lawsuit. However, after the allegations came out, Dutra was reportedly no longer working with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, and he had stepped down as Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance board president.

Shortly after the lawsuit, Dutra questioned the timing, due to both the election and the fact that he had just gotten out of a litigation over his father’s estate with his father’s girlfriend, Susie McBride, who was included as a witness in the lawsuit. McBride died in 2023.

Casey Clark, one of Dutra’s City Council colleagues who also worked closely with McBride, was asked about mailers that were distributed following the lawsuit, slamming Dutra for the allegations and position as an after-school substitute teacher, emphasizing that his past was “a scandal Santa Cruz County doesn’t need.” Clark was asked if McBride had seen those mailers, and he said she was aware of them but did not know if she had physically seen them. In his deposition, he said she thought it was “hilarious” that they went out.

Clark was also asked if McBride knew Siefke would file the lawsuit. He said she wanted Siefke to be able to handle what allegedly happened to him, and part of that journey was to bring it to light.

On Wednesday, Damacio Montoya — the son of former Watsonville City Manager Charles Montoya — testified that Dutra had groped him at a city function, and Clark testified Thursday that Damacio had related the incident to him. Clark also had a romantic relationship with Dutra in the past but broke it off after feeling he was being treated poorly. He also claimed that Dutra drank a lot, resulting in sexual remarks and inappropriate touching of others.

Testimony was also given by Christopher Fuentes, a Nashville-based fraud analyst who was friends and softball teammates with Dutra when both lived in Los Angeles and were even romantically involved around the time of the alleged incident. Fuentes said he did not know Dutra to be a heavy drinker and did not recall inappropriate behavior when he drank. He also had stayed over at Dutra’s house at different times and did not recall anyone sleeping on the floor or Dutra owning an air mattress. When asked if Dutra had any inappropriate conduct with minors, Fuente said he was not aware of any and would not have allowed it if had been.

Dutra took to the stand to share his story. He said that as he was going through law school and his parents were in the process of divorcing, he was also in the process of coming out as gay, and he had moved to the LA area to have a space where he could feel supported. By the summer of 2005, he had already informed his parents, who accepted him. Siefke had visited Dutra’s house along with McBride and Dutra’s father to go to Disneyland and see a King Tut exhibit, which Dutra said he did not tag along with them on. He said he simply greeted them and allowed them to sleep at his house, and that was the extent of his interactions with Siefke.

“I don’t know you,” he said, turning to Siefke. “I’ve only met you one time.”

Regarding McBride, Dutra said their relationship soured as he became trustee of his father’s estate and was upset she could not get certain items right away as Jim Dutra Sr.’s former business partner sued the trust. She reportedly went to the courts to prevent Dutra from being the trustee.

“She made it clear she didn’t trust me,” he said.

Dutra said the mailers and press coverage in the wake of the lawsuit had an impact on him. Not only did he lose the Board of Supervisors election, he also feels certain voters will never give him another chance because of the allegations.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do is be there for my community and make sure we get the resources that we deserve,” he said. “I wanted to be an advocate for my community. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do is this leadership kind of role.”

Dutra said he was blindsided by the lawsuit and fallout from that, telling his mother he thought he needed to go to the hospital as the mailers kept being circulated. He said it was “the darkest time in my life.”

Dutra also said his personal worldview has changed and felt he would never be the same. He emphasized that there was little room for error as a gay man. Dana Scruggs, Siefke’s attorney, disputed this, citing state Sen. John Laird as an example of a Santa Cruz County politician who has served for four decades while being openly gay.

“Gay men can succeed in this county if they have integrity and are honest,” he said.

The trial will continue at 8:15 a.m. Friday in Department 10.