FPPC Enforcement Decisions, April 25, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2024
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the April agenda on the FPPC website at www.fppc.ca.gov. FPPC agendas are distributed and posted on the agency website at least 10 days prior to each monthly meeting.
The web version of the agenda includes links to the stipulations agreed to between the FPPC Enforcement Division and the individuals and organizations subject to the fines, or the default decisions proposed to the Commission. Exhibits in support of the stipulations and proposed default decisions are also available on the website. If you or need further assistance, please contact the FPPC communications office at (916) 322-7761 or press@fppc.ca.gov.
I. The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Conflict of Interests
In the Matter of Anthony Anderson; FPPC No. 21/504. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Patricia Kramer of Neasham & Kramer LLP. Anthony Anderson, as a Battalion Chief for California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”), participated in governmental decisions regarding CAL FIRE’s contracting with Ron Paris Construction causing a conflict of interest, in violation of Government Code Sections 87100 and 1090 (2 counts). Fine: $10,000.
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Kieu Hoang; FPPC No. 20/203. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Robert Blackmon. Kieu Hoang is a major donor and independent expenditure committee. Hoang failed to timely file four semi-annual campaign statements, three 24-Hour Reports, and a 24-Hour Independent Expenditure Report, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200, 84203, and 84204 (8 counts). Fine: $30,000.
The following are enforcement decisions approved through the streamline penalty process and were executed by the Chief of Enforcement per Regulation 18360.2 following the April 25, 2024 meeting. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Campaign Bank Account
In the Matter of Kathy Strong for Indian Wells City Council 2020, Kathy Strong and John Eger; FPPC No. 20/802. Staff: Marissa Corona, Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. Kathy Strong was an unsuccessful candidate for Indian Wells City Council in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Kathy Strong for Indian Wells City Council 2020 was Kathy Strong’s candidate-controlled committee. John Eger served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Strong, and Eger improperly accepted cash contributions of $100 or more, in violation of Government Code Section 84300 (1 count), and failed to process $2,500 through the campaign bank account over two reporting periods, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 (2 counts). Fine: $1,075 (Tier Two).
Advertisements
In the Matter of Save Lafayette and Michael Griffiths; FPPC No. 18/323. Staff: Neal Bucknell, Senior Commission Counsel and Lance Hachigian, Supervising Special Investigator. Save Lafayette was a primarily formed committee to oppose Measure L on the June 5, 2018 Primary Election in Lafayette, California. Michael Griffiths served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Griffiths failed to timely report contributions received by the Committee, expenditures made by the Committee, and payments to subvendors in amounts of $500 or more, in violation of Government Code Sections 84211 and 84303 (2 counts). Additionally, the Committee failed to include “Paid for by” language and failed to include the name of the committee on a mass mailing, in violation of Government Code Sections 84502 and 84504.2 (1 count). Fine: $772 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of Yuba County Republican Party, Joanna Lassaga and Rosemary Daoust: FPPC No. 24/239. Staff: Chance Felkins, Commission Counsel. Yuba County Republican Party is a general purpose committee. Joanna Lassaga is the Committee’s chairwoman, and Rosemary Daoust serves as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee failed to include “Ad Paid for by” language and the Committee name on a yard sign to oppose the Marysville Joint Unified School District, Measure S, prior to the March 5, 2024 Primary Eelction, in violation of Government Code Section 84502 (1 count). Fine: $117 (Tier One).
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Edgard Garcia for Imperial County District Attorney 2022; Committee to Elect Edgard Garcia for State Assembly 2024; Edgard Garcia and Arezoo Garcia; FPPC No. 23/538. Staff: Chance Felkins, Commission Counsel. Edgard Garcia was an unsuccessful candidate for Imperial County District Attorney in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Committee to Elect Edgard Garcia for Imperial County District Attorney 2022 was Edgar Garcia’s local candidate-controlled committee. Arezoo Garcia served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Edgar Garcia, and Arezoo Garcia failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements and two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84203 (4 counts). Committee to Elect Edgard Garcia for State Assembly 2024 is Edgar Garcia’s state candidate-controlled committee. Arezoo Garcia served as the Committee’s treasurer. Edgard Garcia was an unsuccessful candidate for the California State Assembly District 36 in the March 5, 2024 Primary Election. The Committee, Edgar Garcia, and Arezoo Garcia failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement and twelve 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84203 (13 counts). Fine: $7,959 (Tier Two).
In the Matter of Andrew Thorburn; FPPC No. 24/282. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. Andrew Thorburn, a major donor committee for the calendar year 2020, failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $1,600 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Berkeley Council of Classified Employees AFT Local 6192 COPE, and Shauna Rabinowitz; FPPC No. 23/593. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. The respondents are represented by Sue Vang and Richard Rios of Olson Remcho LLP. The Berkeley Council of Classified Employees AFT Local 6192 COPE is an active general purpose committee. Shauna Rabinowitz serves as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Rabinowitz failed to timely file two semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (2 counts). Fine: $494 (Tier One).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Ismael Herrera; FPPC No. 24/106. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Staff Services Analyst. Ismael Herrera, a City Council Member for the City of Kerman, failed to timely file a 2020 Annual, 2021 Annual, and 2022 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (3 counts). Fine: $600 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Brad Griffin; FPPC No. 23/758. Staff: Jaleena Evans, Commission Counsel. Brad Griffin, a Planning Commissioner for the City of Salinas, failed to timely file a 2022 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 Count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Joe Green; FPPC No. 24/182. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Fela Williams, Staff Services Analyst. Joe Green, a City Council Member for the city of Vista, failed to timely file a 2022 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Reporter
In the Matter of Eric Borba; FPPC No. 20/076. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Senior Commission Counsel and George Aradi, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Lauren D. Layne of Baker Manock & Jensen, PC. Eric Borba, a Director for the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Porterville Irrigation District, and Friant Water Authority, failed to timely disclose certain interests in stocks and real properties on the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 Annual Statements of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87206 (54 counts). Fine: $5,400 (Tier One).