FPPC Enforcement Decisions, October 20, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 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 October 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, October 20, 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.
Statements of Economic Interests Late Reporter
In the Matter of John Reed; FPPC No. 19/1117. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel and Paul Rasey, Special Investigator. John Reed, as a Planning Commissioner for the County of Madera, failed to disclose all reportable sources of income on a 2015 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87207 (1 count). Fine: $3,000.
II. 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 October 20, 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.
Campaign Bank Account
In the Matter of Gayle McLaughlin, Gayle McLaughlin for Lieutenant Governor 2018, and Paul Kilkenny; FPPC No. 21/905. Staff: Neal Bucknell, Senior Commission Counsel and Kaitlin Osborn, Special Investigator. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. McLaughlin was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Gayle McLaughlin for Lieutenant Governor 2018 was the candidate-controlled committee and Kilkenny was the Committee’s treasurer. In 2017 and 2018, the Committee, McLaughlin, and Kilkenny paid campaign expenses totaling approximately $2,387 without processing them through the committee’s designated bank account, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 (3 counts). Fine: $323 (Tier One).
Recordkeeping
In the Matter of Josh Jones for Governor of California 2018, Josh Jones, and Ashley Crabtree-Frame; FPPC No. 21/907. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Josh Jones was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Josh Jones for Governor of California 2018 was their candidate-controlled committee. Ashley Crabtree-Frame was the treasurer. The Committee, Jones, and Crabtree-Frame failed to maintain adequate records to substantiate the reporting on three campaign statements, for the periods ending April 21, 2018, May 19, 2018, and June 30, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84104 (3 counts). Fine: $1,800 (Tier One).
Advertisements
In the Matter of Silicon Valley Taxpayers’ Association PAC, and Mark Hinkle; FPPC No. 22/169. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel and Alethea Perez, Special Investigator. Silicon Valley Taxpayers’ Association PAC, a local general purpose committee, and its principal officer, Mark Hinkle, failed to include the “Ad Paid for by” language and the Committee’s name on yard signs opposing Measure I prior to the March 3, 2020 Primary Election, in violation of Government Code Section 84502 (1 count). Fine: $408 (Tier Two).
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Associated Calexico Teachers/Political Action Committee, and James Taylor; FPPC No. 18/1355. Staff: Bridgette Castillo, Senior Commission Counsel. Associated Calexico Teachers/Political Action Committee is a local general purpose committee. James Taylor served as the treasurer at the time of the violations. The Committee and Taylor failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count), failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count), and failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $1,179 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of Sean Allen 4 Sheriff 2022, and Sean Allen; FPPC No. 22/591. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Brown, Political Reform Consultant. Sean Allen was an unsuccessful candidate for Santa Clara County Sheriff in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Sean Allen 4 Sheriff 2022 was Allen’s candidate-controlled committee and Allen served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Allen failed to timely file three 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (3 counts). Fine: $630 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Committee to Re-Elect Raymond R. Castillo Imperial County Supervisor District 5, Raymond R. Castillo, and Louisa Saldana; FPPC No. 22/566. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Brown, Political Reform Consultant. Raymond Castillo was an unsuccessful candidate for Imperial County Supervisor in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Committee to Re-Elect Raymond R. Castillo Imperial County Supervisor District 5 was Castillo’s candidate-controlled committee and Louisa Saldana served as Committee Treasurer. The Committee, Castillo, and Saldana failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $565 (Tier Two).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Karimu Rashad; FPPC No. 21/076. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. Karimu Rashad, a member of the Planning Commission for the City of Carson, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Michael Britton Sr.; FPPC No. 19/1154. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Political Reform Consultant. Michael Britton Sr., a Planning Commissioner for the City of Oroville, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).