FPPC Enforcement Decisions, June 29, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

June 30, 2017

For More Information Contact:

Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, June 29, 2017. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.

Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the June 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.

Over-the-Limit Gifts  

Timothy Simon was a member of the California Public Utilities Commission from 2007 to 2012. On Simon’s Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interests, he was required to disclose gifts and travel-related payments that he received during the 2012 calendar year from approximately 40 sources (totaling roughly $21,000), but he failed to do so, in violation of Government Code Section 87207, subds. (a) and (c) (1 count). Additionally, in June 2012, Simon accepted an over-the-limit gift worth approximately $1,600, in violation of Government Code Section 89503, subd. (a) (1 count). Fine: $5,500. 

Mercury Public Affairs, a lobbying firm, made a gift to then-State Senator Ronald Calderon that exceeded the applicable gift limit in violation of Government Code Section 86203 (1 count) and failed to fully disclose the gift on its lobbying firm report for the second quarter of the 2013 through 2014 legislative session, in violation of Government Code Section 86114, subd. (a)(5) (1 count). Fine: $4,000.

Campaign Non-Filer  

This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. PowerPAC.org Voter Fund, a Sponsored Committee of PowerPAC.org is a state general purpose committee. Its sponsor is a non-profit organization. Lisa Le is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Le failed to file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 85500, subd. (a) (4 counts). Fine: $11,000. 

This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. San Joaquin County Democratic Central Committee is a state general purpose political party committee. From November 1, 2011 through March 2, 2013, Dyane Burgos served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Burgos failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting period July 1, 2012 through October 20, 2012, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5, subd. (h) and 84200.7, subd. (b)(1) (2 counts); and failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period October 21, 2012 through November 24, 2012 for the 2013 State Senate District 4 January 8, 2013 Special Election, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5, subd. (h), and 84200.8, subd. (a) (1 count). Additionally, Committee and Burgos failed to file two 24-Hour Reports for an $8,000 late contribution received 2012 and a $25,000 late contribution received November 3, 2012, in violation of Government Code Section 84203, subds. (a) and (b). Fine: $9,000. 

Our Water Now – H2Own “Yes on Measure W” is a local ballot measure committee created to support Measure W on the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot in Apple Valley, California. Adolph Collaso is the Committee’s treasurer. Richard Piercy is the Committee’s principal officer. The Committee, Collaso, and Piercy failed to timely change the name of the Committee to reflect the supported ballot measure, in violation of Government Code Sections 84103 and 84107 (1 count); and failed to timely report financial activity on two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting period July 1, 2016 through September 25, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $5,500. 

Westside Union Teachers Association is a sponsored general purpose committee. Darrell Hrabik is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Hrabik failed to timely file two semiannual campaign statements for the reporting period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subd. (a) (2 counts). Fine: $4,000. 

This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Glenn Champ was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in the June 3, 2014 Primary Election. Champ for Governor 2014 was his candidate-controlled committee. Bonnie Hancock was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Champ, and Hancock failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period March 18, 2014 through May 17, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count); and failed to timely file nine 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (9 counts). Fine: $2,312. 

Perris Secondary Education Association PAC is a local general purpose committee. Miller is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Miller failed to timely file four semiannual campaign statements for the reporting periods July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, and October 19, 2014 through June 30, 2015, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (4 counts); failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods July 1, 2014 through October 18, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts); and failed to file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $1,987. 

San Ysidro Association PAC is a local general purpose committee in San Diego County. Guillermina Sandez is the Committee’s treasurer. Martin Galante is the Committee’s assistant treasurer. The Committee, Sandez, and Galante failed to timely file two semiannual campaign statements for the reporting periods January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, and October 23, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (2 counts); failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods July 1, 2016 through September 24, 2016, and September 25, 2016 through October 22, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts); and failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $1,480. 

Merced-Mariposa Central Labor Council Committee on Political Education is a local general purpose committee. Howard Stern was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Stern failed to timely file five semiannual campaign statements for the reporting period January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, and January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (5 counts). Fine: $1,277. 

Nelson Brooks successfully ran for re-election for Judge of the Superior Court in the County of El Dorado in June 7, 2016 Primary Election. Jeffrey Dean is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Brooks, and Dean failed to properly file one electronic pre-election statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 and 84605 (1 count); failed to timely file two 24-Hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts); and failed to timely report expenditures on its paper pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period January 1, 2016 through April 23, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $1,100.  

This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Ron Gold was an unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in the November 4, 2014 General Election. Ron Gold for Attorney General 2014 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Gold failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports with the Secretary of State’s Office, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $932. 

Kenneth J. McLaughlin is the President of the Board of Directors of the Jurupa Community Services District. McLaughlin for Jurupa Community Services Board 2010 was his candidate-controlled committee for his re-election bid in 2010. The Committee and McLaughlin failed to timely file three semiannual campaign statements for the reporting periods January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (3 counts); and failed to timely file an amendment to the Committee’s statement of organization within 10 days after the Committee changed its treasurer, in violation of Government Code Section 84103 (1 count). Fine: $812. 

This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Karen Sakata was a successful candidate for Superintendent of Schools in Contra Costa County in the June 3, 2014 Primary Election. Sakata failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods January 1, 2014 through May 17, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts). Fine: $494. 

Harold Fong was a successful candidate for the office of Sacramento County Board of Education in the June 7, 2016 Primary Election. Harold Fong for School Board 2016 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Fong failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $400. 

Residocracy Santa Monica is a local general purpose committee. Armen Melkonians is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Melkonians failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period October 30, 2016 through November 4, 2016 with the City of Santa Monica, in violation of Government Code Section 84200. (1 count). Fine: $285. 

Griselda Delgado was a successful candidate for the office of Southwestern Community College District Governing Board School Board in the November 8, 2016 General Election. Delgado for SWC School Board Seat #1 2016 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Delgado failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period July 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016 with the County of San Diego, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $217. 

United Democrats of Moreno Valley is a state general purpose committee. The Committee failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period July 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $200. 

Jessica Speiser was a member of the Los Altos School Board. Jessica Speiser for Los Altos School Board 2016 was her candidate-controlled committee. The Committee, Speiser, and Patel failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the period October 23, 2016 through December 31, 2016, with the County of Santa Clara, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $200. 

Hallie Romero was a successful candidate for re-election to Board Member of Roseville City Elementary School District in the November 4, 2014 General Election. Re-Elect Hallie Romero for Roseville City School Board is her candidate-controlled committee. Christine Karr is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Romero, and Karr failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $200.

Statement of Economic Interests Non-Filer  

Martin Fuentes, a Commissioner on the City of Cudahy Planning Commission, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $400. 

Lisa Maddaus, a consultant for the Castaic Lake Water Agency, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests with the County of Los Angeles, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400. 

Jay Nelson, a planning commissioner for the City of Loma Linda, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2015, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $300. 

John Polen, Director of the Ridgecrest Ranchos Park and Recreation District, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2015 with the County of Los Angeles, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200. 

William Vanderberg, a board member of the Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2015 with the County of Los Angeles, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200. 

Amy Cassidy, as a Member with the City of San Leandro Human Services Commission, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200. 

Christopher Barlow, as a Member of the Historic Preservation Commission, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interests for the year of 2016 with the City of Monterey, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.