Judge Limits Evidence Access in Antioch Bribery Case

A federal judge ruled that marital privilege prevents prosecutors from reviewing confidential spousal communications.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Judge Limits Evidence Access in Antioch Bribery Case

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajay Krishnan ruled that marital privilege shields confidential communications from prosecutors in a federal bribery case. The decision limits the government’s access to digital evidence in the prosecution of DeNova Homes executives.

Why it matters

The ruling affirms that marital privilege remains presumptively protected during criminal proceedings, preventing the automatic search of private spousal discussions. This decision sets a clear boundary for how investigators handle evidence retrieved from personal devices.

Judge Krishnan issued this ruling as part of the federal bribery case involving the 533-home Aviano development in Antioch. The defendants were indicted in April 2025 and currently await trial on conspiracy charges.

The players

Ajay Krishnan

He is a U.S. Magistrate Judge serving in the Northern District of California who oversees pretrial motions.

David Sanson

He is an executive at DeNova Homes who faces federal charges related to an alleged bribery scheme in Antioch.

Trent Sanson

He is an executive at DeNova Homes who was indicted alongside David Sanson on federal conspiracy and bribery charges.

DeNova Homes

This is a residential development company headquartered in Concord that is central to the Antioch housing project investigation.

The details

Defense attorneys successfully moved to protect communications under an existing privilege-review protocol after a government filter team identified the records. Prosecutors allege that David Sanson delivered $5,000 in cash inside a coffee mug to a local council member who had previously contacted the FBI regarding the transaction.

The Sansons were indicted on federal bribery charges in April 2025.
Judge Krishnan issued the ruling regarding marital communications on October 14, 2026.

Legal Context

The ruling clarifies the application of marital communications privilege in the era of digital surveillance and cloud data storage. It mirrors broader efforts to reconcile traditional spousal confidentiality rights with modern investigative practices used by federal authorities.

The ruling limits how investigators can use private communications when building cases involving local public officials in the area. This ensures that privacy protections for defendants are maintained even when federal agencies are involved in city-level bribery investigations.

The takeaway

This decision underscores the judiciary's role in balancing the government's need for evidence against the privacy rights of the accused. Defendants in federal cases are entitled to privilege reviews to ensure that protected spousal communications remain private throughout the legal process.