FPPC Enforcement Decisions, January 17, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

January 17, 2019

For More Information Contact:

Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, January 17, 2019. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.

Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the January 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.

Campaign Non-Filer
 
In the Matter of Friends of Livermore, Leland Younker, and David Jonas; FPPC No. 16/19930. Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Christopher Burton and Program Specialist Patricia Ballantyne. The respondents were represented by Christopher LaGrassa of Churchwell White, LLP. Friends of Livermore was a city general purpose committee that engaged in political activity in advance of the November 8, 2016 General Election. Leland Younker was the Committee’s principal officer and David Jonas was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Younker, and Jonas failed to timely file 42 different 24-hour independent expenditure reports for late independent expenditures, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (1 count); failed to timely report $62,155.92 in sub-vendor payments on campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84303 and 84211, subdivision (k)(6) (1 count); and failed to provide sufficient notice to six potential major donor committees, in violation of Government Code Section 84105 and Regulation 18427.1 (1 count). Fine: $6,000.
 
In the Matter of Pandya for Mayor 2018 and Amit Pandya; FPPC No. 18/982. Staff: Commission Counsel Theresa Gilbertson. Amit Pandya was an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of Salinas in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Pandya for Mayor 2018 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Pandya failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018 and September 23, 2018 through October 20, 2018, in violation of Government Code 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $2,000.
 
In the Matter of Salem for Council 2014 and Mercedes Salem; FPPC No. 16/747 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Commission Counsel Ruth Yang and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Dominika Wojenska. Mercedes Salem was an unsuccessful candidate for Mountain View City Council in the November 4, 2014 General Election. Salem for Council 2014 was her candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Salem failed to timely file two semi-annual campaign statements for the reporting period of January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code section 84200 (2 counts). Fine: $1,600.
 
In the Matter of Friends of Maricela Cruz for Trustee 2018, Maricela Cruz, and Daisy S. Martinez; FPPC No. 18/1200. Staff: Commission Counsel Theresa Gilbertson. Maricela Cruz was an unsuccessful candidate for the Alisal Union School District Governing Board Trustee, Area 2, in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Friends of Maricela Cruz for Trustee 2018 was her candidate-controlled committee. Daisy Martinez was the committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Cruz, and Martinez failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018 and September 23, 2018 through October 20, 2018, in violation of Government Code 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $1,500.
 
In the Matter of California Education Project, Mary Azevedo, and Bob Schuman; FPPC No. 18/1493 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. California Education Project is a County General Purpose Committee. Mary Azevedo is the Committee’s Treasurer and Bob Schuman is the principal officer. The Committee, Azevedo, and Schuman failed to timely file four 24-hour independent expenditure reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (4 counts). Fine: $976. 
 
In the Matter of Bonsall Taxpayers Against Measure DD; FPPC No. 16/19929 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Angela Brereton and Special Investigator Ann Flaherty. Bonsall Taxpayers Against Measure DD was a primarily formed committee opposing Measure DD, an unsuccessful ballot measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot. Bonsall Taxpayers Against Measure DD failed to timely file a statement of organization, in violation of Government Code Section 84101 (1 count), failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of September 25, 2016 through October 22, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count); and failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement for the reporting period of October 23, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $699.
 
In the Matter of Wes Speake for Corona City Council 2018, Wes Speake, and Belinda Lopez; FPPC No. 18/846 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Wes Speake was a successful candidate for Corona City Council in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Wes Speake for Corona City Council 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. Belinda Lopez is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Speake and Lopez failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $429.
 

 
In the Matter of Anthony Kuo for Irvine City Council 2018, Anthony Kuo, and Rebecca Luby; FPPC No. 18/1077 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Anthony Kuo was a successful candidate for Irvine City Council in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Anthony Kuo for Irvine City Council 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. Rebecca Luby is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Kuo, and Luby failed to timely report an accrued expense related to a fundraiser on the pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $412.
 
In the Matter of Giba for Mayor 2018, Jeffrey Giba, and Lysa Ray; FPPC No. 18/848 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Jeffrey Giba was an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of Moreno Valley in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Giba for Mayor 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. Giba and the Committee failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $312.
 
In the Matter of Mike McKibbin for San Juan School Board 2018 and Mike McKibbin; FPPC No. 18/823 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Staff Services Analyst Shaina Elkin. Mike McKibbin was a successful candidate for San Juan Unified School District Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Mike McKibbin for San Juan School Board 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and McKibbin failed to timely file one preelection campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $284.
 
In the Matter of Lorena Corona for Fontana City Mayor 2018, Lorena Corona and Cynthia Corona; FPPC No. 18/830 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Staff Services Analyst Shaina Elkin. Lorena Corona was an unsuccessful candidate for Fontana City Mayor in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Lorena Corona for Fontana City Mayor 2018 is her candidate-controlled committee. Cynthia Corona is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Corona and Corona failed to timely file one preelection campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $283
 
In the Matter of Elect Baldwin-Kennedy for Assembly 44 in 2018, Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy, and Michael Kennedy; FPPC No. 18/1149 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy was an unsuccessful candidate for State Assembly in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Elect Baldwin-Kennedy for Assembly 44 in 2018 is her candidate-controlled committee. Michael Kennedy is the Committee’s Treasurer. The Committee, Baldwin-Kennedy, and Kennedy failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of September 23, 2018 through October 20, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $277. 
 
In the Matter of Shannon O’Brien for Fontana City Council 2018 and Shannon O’Brien; FPPC No. 18/832 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Staff Services Analyst Shaina Elkin. Shannon O’Brien was an unsuccessful candidate for Fontana City Council in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Shannon O’Brien for Fontana City Council 2018 is her candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and O’Brien failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $269.
 
In the Matter of M Sandoval for School Board 2018, Mary Sandoval, and Maria Cecella Bolanos; FPPC No. 18/989 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chloe Hackert. Mary Sandoval was a successful candidate for Board Member of the Fontana Unified School District in the November 6, 2018 General Election. M Sandoval for School Board 2018 was her candidate-controlled committee. Maria Cecella Bolanos was the Committee’s Treasurer. The Committee, Sandoval, and Bolanos failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $255.
 
In the Matter of Committee to Re-Elect Jennifer Navarro for Westside School Board 2018 and Jennifer Navarro; FPPC No. 18/1028 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Jennifer Navarro was a successful candidate for Westside School Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Committee to Re-Elect Jennifer Navarro for Westside School Board 2018 is her candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Navarro failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $222.
 
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Phillip Goodrich to EVWD 2018, Phillip Goodrich, and Anita D. Goodrich; FPPC No. 18/919 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chloe Hackert. Phillip Goodrich was a successful candidate for Trustee of the East Valley Water District in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Committee to Elect Phillip Goodrich to EVWD 2018 was his candidate-controlled committee. Anita D. Goodrich was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Goodrich, and Goodrich failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of January 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $216.
 
In the Matter of Barrios for South Bay Union School District 2018 and Louis Barrios; FPPC No. 18/875 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Dominika Wojenska. Louis Barrios was a successful candidate for South Bay Union School District Board of Trustees in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Barrios for South Bay Union School District 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Barrios failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of July 1, 2018 through September 22, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $215.
 
Statement of Economic Interests Non-Filer
 
In the Matter of Noah Levy; FPPC No. 17/1440 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Christopher Burton. Noah Levy, Planning Commissioner for Humboldt County, failed to timely file an Annual Statement of Economic Interest for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (3 counts). Fine: $2,400.
 
In the Matter of Benjamin Lutes; FPPC No. 18/460 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Benjamin Lutes, a Member of the City of Folsom Arts and Cultural Commission, failed to timely file an Assuming Office and a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $800.
 
In the Matter of Jesus Zaragoza; FPPC No. 18/743 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Enforcement Intake Manager Tara Stock. Jesus Zaragoza, a Board Member for the Hamilton City Community Services District, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200
 
In the Matter of Hector Garcia; FPPC No. 18/522 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chloe Hackert. Hector Garcia, a Commissioner for the Green Vernon Commission and the Vernon Housing Commission, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.
 
In the Matter of Karlaina Gipson; FPPC No. 18/1506 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Karlaina Gipson, an Environmental Scientist for the Department of Toxic Substances Control, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.