The State - News from March 9, 1988

The mayor of Danville has announced his resignation amid a criminal probe into the handling of client funds in his law practice. The Town Council will decide March 21 whether to appoint a replacement for Richard Kennett or call a special election. Kennett, 49, also resigned his position as a council member. “Please accept my deepest and most sincere apology for any embarrassment and adverse publicity which in any way reflects poorly on our town, its staff or council,” Kennett said in a resignation letter. The letter did not mention a Contra Costa County district attorney’s investigation into Kennett’s practice, officials said. Kennett’s attorney, William Gagen, said at least part of the investigation stems from checks sent to Debbie Peterson of Spokane, Wash. Peterson had hired Kennett to settle her deceased mother’s estate; the investigation involves checks that allegedly bounced.