FPPC Enforcement Decisions, June 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2025
For More Information Contact:
Shery Yang (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the 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, June 19, 2025. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Misuse of Campaign Funds
In the Matter of Lysa Ray and Marc Steinorth for Supervisor 2018, FPPC Nos. 19/1802 & 20/1120. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel and Lance Hachigian, Supervising Special Investigator. Ray was represented in this matter by Steve Baric of Baric Law. Lysa Ray served as the treasurer for the Committee. Ray and the Committee made an expenditure that was not compliant with the Act’s restrictions on the use of campaign funds as the payment had no legislative, governmental, or political purpose and the payment was not consistent with the Act’s restrictions on the use of surplus funds, in violation of Government Code Sections 89410, 89512, and 89519 (1 count). Ray and the Committee failed to file campaign statements to disclose reportable activity, in violation of Government Code 84200 (1 count). Fine: $7,500.
Conflict of Interest
In the Matter of Jess E. Benton; FPPC Case No. 20/777. Staff: Marissa Corona, Senior Commission Counsel and George Aradi, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Gary Winuk of Kaufman Legal Group. Jess E. Benton, a former member of the Hillsborough City Council, made a governmental decision that had a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on Benton’s financial interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87100 (1 count). Fine: $4,500.
Campaign Late Filer/Reporter
In the Matter of Reverge Anselmo; FPPC No. 22/402. Staff: Laura Columbel, Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Catherine Keenan of the Law Offices of Phillip Russell, LLC. Reverge Anselmo is a major donor committee. Anselmo failed to timely file four semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (4 counts), and two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $21,500.
In the Matter of Christine Nagaye for Sheriff 2022, Christine Nagaye, & Gregory Nagaye; FPPC No. 22/790. Staff: Laura Columbel, Commission Counsel and Kristin Hamilton, Special Investigator. Christine Nagaye was an unsuccessful candidate for Santa Clara Sheriff in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Christine Nagaye for Sheriff 2022 was Nagaye’s candidate-controlled committee. Gregory Nagaye served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Christine Nagaye, and Gregory Nagaye failed to timely file an Amended Statement of Organization, in violation of Government Code Section 84101 (1 count); two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts); six semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (6 counts); and one 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). The Committee, Christine Nagaye, and Gregory Nagaye also failed to timely report expenditures and loan repayments on one semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $2,058 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC and J. Richard Eichman; FPPC No. 23/727. Staff: Bridgette Castillo, Senior Commission Counsel. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. California Association of Highway Patrolmen PAC was a state general purpose committee. At all relevant times, J. Richard Eichman was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Eichman failed to timely disclose a contribution in the amount of $68,943 received on a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $1.979 (Tier Two).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer/Reporter
In the Matter of Terrance Slatic; FPPC 22/617. Staff: Marissa Corona, Senior Commission Counsel and Paul Rasey, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by Michael Goldfeder. Terrance Slatic was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fresno Unified School District. Slatic failed to timely report the receipt of a gift on the 2018, 2019, and 2021 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87207 (3 counts), failed to accurately report the value of a gift received on the 2021 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87207 (1 count), and accepted a gift that exceeded the 2021 annual gift limit, in violation of Government Code Section 89503 (1 count). Fine: $18,000.
In the Matter of Tom Pier; FPPC No. 25/438. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Staff Services Analyst. Tom Pier, a Boating and Waterways Commission Member for the Parks and Recreation Department, failed to timely file the 2023 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Michele Sherer; FPPC No. 25/498. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement and Fela Williams, Staff Services Analyst. Michele Sherer, a Program Manager of Special Education for the Milpitas Unified School District, failed to timely file the 2023 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
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