FPPC names new Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

March 8, 2019

For More Information Contact:

Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency, today announced the appointment of Thomas “TJ” Jones as the Commission’s Executive Director. 

Jones brings extensive experience to the position. Prior to this appointment, Jones spent more than 12 year as the Ethics Enforcement Officer for the Connecticut Office of State Ethics, the first such ethics prosecutor appointed by that State. Before working for the Office of State Ethics in Connecticut, Jones was an Assistant Attorney General litigating consumer protection matters. He was lead counsel in numerous State and Federal litigations, including serving on a multi-state executive committee that litigated and successfully resolved national investigations into the Ford Motor Company and Bridgestone/Firestone.

“I’m extremely pleased to announce TJ’s appointment to this important role,” said Commission Chair Alice Germond. “TJ’s extensive experience in political and campaign law, and his knowledge and experience in being part of a State Ethics Agency, and his demonstrated commitment to fair and transparent practices will help guide the Commission to further the interests of Californians.”

Prior to working for the State of Connecticut, Jones served in private practice as a civil and criminal litigation attorney in Connecticut, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. He is admitted to the bar of all three jurisdictions. Jones has also spent more than a decade as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, teaching lawyering skills and legal writing, while also writing and lecturing on a variety of topics. He has also served on numerous local and State boards and committees in Connecticut and Washington, D.C. and is a member of the Council for Governmental Ethics Law.

Jones received his law degree from the University of Virginia, and his undergraduate degree in History and Music Composition, cum laude, from Amherst College.  

Jones takes over the position from Erin Peth, who took a position as Chief Counsel, California State Senate Committee on Legislative Ethics.

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