FPPC Enforcement Decisions, February 16, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2023
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.
I. The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, February 16, 2023. 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 Renteria for Governor 2018, Amanda Renteria, and Gary Crummitt; FPPC No. 22/201. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel. Amanda Renteria is represented by Richard Rios of Olson Remcho LLP. Gary Crummitt is represented by Michael Farr and Cary Davidson of Reed & Davidson, LLP. This case arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Program. Amanda Renteria was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor during the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Renteria for Governor 2018 was their candidate-controlled committee. Gary Crummitt served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Renteria, and Crummitt failed to make all expenditures from the designated campaign bank account, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 and Regulation 18524 (1 count), erroneously made an expenditure that was not reasonably related to a political purpose, in violation of Government Code Section 89512 (1 count), and failed to timely disclose activity on campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $9,500.
Conflict of Interest
In the Matter of James N. Neil aka Jim Neil; FPPC No. 22/716. Staff: Angela Brereton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement and Jeffrey Kamigaki, Supervising Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Gary S. Winuk of Kaufman Legal Group. James N. Neil aka Jim Neil, as an independent contractor of Kidder Mathews, Inc., was a consultant with the City of San Diego Housing Commission. Neil, as a consultant, participated in a governmental decision regarding the purchase of real property that had a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on their financial interest, in violation of Government Code Section 87100 (1 count). Fine: $5,000.
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 February 16, 2023 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 Late Reporter
In the Matter of Montanez for WMWD Director, Division 5 2020, Eugene Montanez; FPPC No. 20/908. Staff: David E. Castro, Commission Counsel. Montanez for WMWD Director, Division 5, 2020 is a candidate-controlled committee for Eugene Montanez. The Committee and Montanez failed to include the required disclosures on a text message advertisement, in violation of Government Code Section 84504.7 (1 count), and failed to timely report the value of the text messaging campaign, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $223 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Keith Wolaridge for PBVUSD Trustee 2018, Keith Wolaridge and Joanne Wolaridge; FPPC No. 18/964. Staff: Marissa Nash, Commission Counsel. Keith Wolaridge was a successful candidate for the Panama Buena Vista School District in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Committee to Elect Keith Wolaridge for PBVUSD Trustee 2018 was Wolaridge’s candidate-controlled committee and Joanne Wolaridge served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Keith Wolaridge and Joanne Wolaridge failed to timely report $1,044 in expenditures on the semi-annual campaign statement covering the period of October 21, 2018 through December 31, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count) and failed to timely report $462 in expenditures on the semi-annual campaign statement covering the period of January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $214 (Tier One).
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Salinas Valley Builders Exchange PAC, Christie Cromeenes, Cliff Fasnacht; FPPC No. 19/518. Staff: Alex Rose, Commission Counsel. Salinas Valley Builders Exchange PAC is a local general purpose committee. Christie Cromeenes was the Committee’s treasurer until Fasnacht, the current treasurer, assumed the role. The Committee, Cromeenes, and Fasnacht failed to timely file seven semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (7 counts); a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count); a statement of organization amendment, in violation of Government Code Section 84103 (1 count); and two 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $2,820 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of Lynn Boone for Compton City Clerk 2021, Lynn Boone, Jasper Jackson; FPPC No. 21/619. Staff: Alex Rose, Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. Lynn Boone was an unsuccessful candidate for Compton City Clerk in an April 20, 2021 local election. Lynn Boone for Compton City Clerk 2021 was Boone’s candidate-controlled committee and Jasper Jackson was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Boone, and Jackson failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts). Fine: $1,115 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Hershberger for County Clerk / Recorder / Registrar of Voters, Benjamin Hershberger, and Catherine Carter; FPPC No. 22/553. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Shaina Elkin, Associate Governmental Program Analyst. Benjamin Hershberger was an unsuccessful candidate for Humboldt County Clerk, Recorder, Registrar of Voters in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Hershberger for County Clerk / Recorder / Registrar of Voters is Hershberger’s candidate-controlled committee. Catherine Carter served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Hershberger, and Carter failed to timely file a statement of organization, in violation of Government Code Section 84101 (1 count) and failed to timely file two 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $753 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Dena Florez for Bassett USD School Board 2020, Dena Florez, and Victoria Florez; FPPC No. 21/230. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. Dena Florez was a successful candidate for the Bassett Unified School District Board in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Dena Florez for Bassett USD School Board 2020 was Florez’s candidate-controlled committee and Victoria Florez served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Dena Florez, and Victoria Florez failed to timely file two 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $690 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Erik Ortega for IVC Trustee Area 7 2022, Erik Ortega, and Claudia Carrasco; FPPC No. 22/1046. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Vanessa Greer, Staff Services Analyst. Erik Ortega was a successful candidate for Imperial Community College – Trustee Area 7 in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Committee to Elect Erik Ortega for IVC Trustee Area 7 2022 was Ortega’s candidate-controlled committee and Claudia Carrasco served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Ortega, and Carrasco failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $580 (Tier Two).
In the Matter of Asian Pacific Islander Democrats of Sacramento County, Linh Nguyen; FPPC No. 20/1136. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. Asian Pacific Islander Democrats of Sacramento County is a local general purpose committee. Linh Nguyen is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Nguyen failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $402 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Strikwerda for Yucaipa Calimesa School Board-2022, and Heidi Strikwerda; FPPC No. 22/995. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Vanessa Greer, Staff Services Analyst. Heidi Strikwerda was an unsuccessful candidate for Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District Member, Governing Board Area 5 in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Strikwerda for Yucaipa Calimesa School Board-2022 was Strikwerda’s candidate-controlled committee and Strikwerda served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Strikwerda failed to timely file a 24-hour report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $215 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Diana Leon Gitz, Jonathan Sabater, and Committee to Elect Diana Leon Gitz; FPPC No. 23/034. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Vanessa Greer, Staff Services Analyst. Diana Leon Gitz was an unsuccessful candidate for Brawley Union High School District in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Committee to Elect Diana Leon Gitz was their candidate-controlled committee. Jonathan Sabater served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Leon Gitz, and Sabater failed to timely file a 24-hour report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $210 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Crisol Mena for School Board 2022, Crisol Mena, and Julian Steve Garcia; FPPC No. 22/949. Staff: Christopher Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Vanessa Greer, Staff Services Analyst. Crisol Mena was an unsuccessful candidate for Ontario-Montclair School District Member, Governing Board Area 3 in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Crisol Mena for School Board 2022 was Mena’s candidate-controlled committee and Julian Steve Garcia served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Mena, and Garcia failed to timely file a 24-hour report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $210 (Tier One).