FPPC Enforcement Decisions, March 24, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2022
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the February 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.
The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Default Proceedings - Default Proceedings Requesting Commission Action
In the Matter of Friends of Joe Aguirre for Delano City Council 2014 and Joe Aguirre; FPPC No. 17/193. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. The respondents were represented by Brandon Martin. Joe Aguirre was a successful candidate for Delano City Council in the November 8, 2014 General Election. Friends of Joe Aguirre for Delano City Council 2014 was Aguirre’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Aguirre failed to timely file four pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84200.8 (4 counts) and failed to timely file eight semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (4 counts). Fine: $36,000.
Californians in Support of Mike Antonovich State Senate 2016 and Shelley Levine; FPPC Nos. 17/1397 and 18/821. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Californians in Support of Mike Antonovich State Senate 2016 was a primarily formed committee that supported the candidacy of Michael Antonovich for State Senate District 25 during the 2016 Primary and General Elections. Shelley Levine was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Levine failed to timely amend the Committee’s statement of organization to include the name of its sponsor, in violation of Government Code Section 84103 (1 count), failed to timely file four pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts), failed to timely file two 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count), and failed to adequately maintain campaign records, in violation of Government Code Section 84101 (1 count). Fine: $21,000.
I. 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 March 24, 2022 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.
Advertisements
In the Matter of Steve McShane for District 3 City Council in 2018, McShane for Supervisor 2020, and Steve McShane; FPPC No. 20/761. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel and Lance Hachigian, Special Investigator. Steve McShane was a successful candidate for Salinas City Council, District 3, in the November 6, 2018 General Election, and an unsuccessful candidate for Monterey County Supervisor, District 4, in the March 3, 2020 Primary Election. Steve McShane for District 3 City Council in 2018 and McShane for Supervisor 2020 are McShane’s candidate-controlled committees. The Committees and McShane failed to include “Paid for by” on 34 mass electronic mailings, in violation of Government Code Section 84305 (34 counts). Fine: $3,400 (Tier One).
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Valle for Alameda County Supervisor 2018/22, Richard Valle, and Barbara Aro-Valle; FPPC No. 21/524. Staff: Neal Bucknell, Senior Commission Counsel. The respondents were represented by Thomas A. Willis of Olson Remcho LLP. Richard Valle was a successful candidate for Alameda County Supervisor in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Valle for Alameda County Supervisor 2018/22 is his candidate-controlled committee. Barbara Aro-Valle was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Valle, and Aro-Valle failed to timely file seven semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (7 counts); two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts); and six 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (6 counts). Fine: $8,073 (Tier One & Two).
In the Matter of Eloise Reyes for Assembly 2016, Eloise G. Reyes, and William P. Smith; FPPC No. 18/1343. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement. The respondents were represented by Thomas A. Willis of Olson Remcho LLP. Eloise G. Reyes was a successful candidate for California State Assembly, District 47 in the June 7, 2016 Primary and November 8, 2016 General Elections. Eloise Reyes for Assembly 2016 was Reyes’ candidate-controlled committee. William P. Smith was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Reyes, and Smith failed to timely file three preelection campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84605 (3 counts); five semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200 and 84605 (5 counts); and three 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 84203 and 84605 (3 counts). Fine: $3,214 (Tier One & Two).
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Bob Jensen for Hart School Board 2018, Robert N. Jensen, Jr.; FPPC No. 21/1144. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. Bob Jensen was a successful candidate for the William S. Hart Union High School District Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Committee to Elect Bob Jensen for Hart School Board 2018 was Jensen’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Jensen failed to timely file four 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $973 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Ron Morrison; FPPC No. 21/1096. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. Ron Morrison, candidate for Mayor of National City in the November 8, 2022 General Election, failed to timely file a Candidate Intention Statement prior to receiving contributions or making expenditures in relation to their candidacy, in violation of Government Code Section 85200 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Sharoni Little College Board 2018 and Sharoni Little; FPPC No. 21/881. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Sharoni Little was a successful candidate for the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Committee to Elect Sharoni Little College Board 2018 was Little’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Little failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Bernard Dory; FPPC Nos. 16/19886 and 19/601. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Bernard Dory, as a Council Aide for the City of Los Angeles, failed to timely file a 2015 Annual and a 2016 Annual/Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interest, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Additionally, as a Field Representative for the California Assembly Staff, failed to timely file an Assuming Office and a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $2,400 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Donald Skinner; FPPC No. 19/1429. Staff: David E. Castro, Commission Counsel. The respondent was represented by Edward Amaral of Germino, Amaral & Jordan. Donald Skinner, a Member of the Board of Directors for the Lower San Joaquin Levee District, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $600 (Tier One).
In the Matter of David Kennedy; FPPC No. 19/1198. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. David Kennedy, Treasurer for the City of San Bernardino, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $400 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Rocky Valles; FPPC No. 21/659. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. Rocky Valles, a Alternate Board Member with the Ventura County Schools Self-Funding Authority, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).