Friends to Elect Aide Castro, Aide Castro, and Matthew Lemcke

Campaign Commitee Coordination

Fine: $3,500

FPPC No. 11/253

Respondent, Aide Castro (“Respondent Castro”), was a replacement candidate in the September 2007 Lynwood City Council election. Respondent, Friends to Elect Aide Castro (“Respondent Committee”), was her candidate controlled recipient committee, and Respondent, Matthew Lemcke (“Respondent Lemcke”), was the Treasurer at all times relevant. Voters Against Corruption (“VAC”) was a recipient committee formed to support both the recall of the incumbent Lynwood City Council members and the replacement candidates in there call election, including Respondent Castro. Respondent Lemcke was also Treasurer for this committee. Respondent Committee’s campaign consultant, Mr. Chris Robles, and his company, The Pericles Group, were also hired to be VAC’s campaign consultants. Through this interaction between the two committees by agents of Respondent Committee, VAC became a controlled committee of Respondent Castro and, as such, all contributions and expenditures were required to go through Respondent Committee. Respondents failed to disclose information regarding a $3,000 contribution received and over $10,000 in expenditures made of $100 or more on a semi-annual Form 460 Campaign Statement for the reporting period ending December 31, 2007, in violation of Government Code Section 84211, subdivisions (a),(b), (f), and (k), (1 count).