FPPC takes official to court and forces disclosure of campaign statements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2019
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency, successfully forced Ontario-Montclair Schoolboard member Alfonso Sanchez to file legally required campaign statements after he missed numerous deadlines and repeated warnings to follow the law.
“When we see such blatant disregard for the law, we will go to great lengths to enforce the rules and demand accountability from our public officials,” said FPPC Chair Richard C. Miadich. “Such egregious behavior in ignoring their constituents legal right to know will not be tolerated.”
During his 2016 campaign for the Ontario-Montclair School District Board, Sanchez failed to file any of the legally required campaign finance disclosure forms required of candidates. For more than two years after the election, the sitting schoolboard member not only failed to file the documents, he ignored repeated phone calls, emails, and even requests through certified mail from the FPPC Enforcement Division. Knowing the public legally deserved the information from Sanchez, the FPPC filed suit. Representing FPPC Enforcement in San Bernardino Superior Court on June 20, 2019, Counsel Christopher Burton asked for and received a preliminary injunction against Sanchez. Superior Court Judge John Pacheco ordered Sanchez to file the statements within 20 days, by July 10th. On July 8th, Sanchez filed a set of campaign statements that included each missing document.
“Elected officials take an oath and have a duty to adhere to the law,” said FPPC Chief of Enforcement Galena West. “We always provide ample opportunity to bring people into compliance when there are issues. But when folks disregard their responsibilities, we will pursue every possible avenue to hold them accountable to the law and to the public.”
FPPC Enforcement is currently in discussions with Sanchez regarding a resolution of the case, as it does in all cases. However, the civil action remains pending. A trial setting conference is scheduled for October 18, 2019.
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