FPPC Enforcement Decisions, May 20, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2021
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the May 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, May 20, 2021. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Recordkeeping
In the Matter of Elect Joaquin Arturo Revelo Judge 2016, Seat Number 34, Joaquin A. Revelo, and David L. Kelly; FPPC No. 18/818. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Joaquin A. Revelo was an unsuccessful candidate for Kern County Superior Court Judge in the June 7, 2016 Primary Election. Elect Joaquin Arturo Revelo Judge 2016, Seat Number 34, was Revelo’s candidate-controlled committee. David L. Kelly was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Revelo, and Kelly failed to maintain adequate campaign records for contributions and expenditures, in violation of Government Code Section 84104 (1 count). Fine: $2,000.
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 May 20, 2021 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.
Advertising and Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Gabrielle Dolphin; FPPC No. 18/1423. Staff: Christopher Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement and Lance Hachigian, Special Investigator. Gabrielle Dolphin qualified as an independent expenditure committee opposing Alameda (City) Measure K in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Dolphin failed to timely file two 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (2 counts), and failed to include the required disclaimer on two newspaper advertisements published prior to the election, in violation of Government Code Section 84502 (2 counts). Fine: $1,300 (Tier One & Two).
In the Matter of Greg Astorian for Glendale City Council 2020, Greg Astorian, and Ramona Astorian; FPPC No. 20/244. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Greg Astorian was an unsuccessful candidate for Glendale City Council in the March 3, 2020 Primary Election. Greg Astorian for Glendale City Council 2020 was Astorian’s candidate-controlled committee. Ramona Astorian was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Astorian, and Astorian 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: $1,271 (Tier Two).
In the Matter of Leslie Schneider for San Dieguito Union High School Board 2020, Leslie Schneider, and Briana Baleskie; FPPC No. 20/1014. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Leslie Schneider was an unsuccessful candidate for San Dieguito Unified School District Board of Education in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Leslie Schneider for San Dieguito Union High School Board 2020 was Schneider’s candidate-controlled committee. Briana Baleskie was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Schneider, and Baleskie failed to timely file a preelection campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count), and failed to file three 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (3 counts). Fine: $1,135 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Albert Gonzalez for School Board 2020 and Albert Gonzalez; FPPC No. 21/130. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Chloe Hackert, Political Reform Consultant. Albert Gonzalez was a successful candidate for Santa Clara Unified Board of Education in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Albert Gonzalez for School Board 2020 is Gonzalez’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Gonzalez failed to timely file a preelection campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $495 (Tier Two).
In the Matter of Azadeh Weber for Saratoga Union School Board 2020, Azadeh Weber, and Steve Haug; FPPC No. 21/204. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Dominika Wojenska, Associate Governmental Program Analyst. Azadeh Weber was an unsuccessful candidate for Saratoga Union School District Board in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Azadeh Weber for Saratoga Union School Board 2020 was Weber’s candidate-controlled committee. Steve Haug was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Weber, and Haug failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count), and failed to timely file a 24-hour report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $466 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Gran for Redondo City Council 2017 and John Gran: FPPC No. 20/718. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. John Gran was a successful candidate for Redondo Beach City Council in the March 7, 2017 Special Election. Gran for Redondo City Council 2017 was Gran’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Gran failed to timely file two semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (2 counts). Fine: $447 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Angel Carrillo for City Council 2015 and Angel Carrillo; FPPC No. 21/157. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. Angel Carrillo was a successful candidate for Azusa City Council in the March 3, 2015 Primary Election. Angel Carrillo for City Council 2015 was Carrillo’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Carrillo failed to timely file two semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (2 counts). Fine: $400 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Greg Shibley for School Board 2020 and Greg Shibley; FPPC No. 20/1015. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Greg Shibley was a successful candidate for Lemon Grove School District Board of Education in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Greg Shibley for School Board 2020 was Shibley’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Shibley failed to timely file a preelection campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $211 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Alpine Firemen’s Relief Association and Catherine Salazar-Wilson; FPPC No. 20/764. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. Alpine Firemen’s Relief Association is a local general purpose committee. Catherine Salazar-Wilson is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Salazar-Wilson failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $203 (Tier One).
In the Matter of High Desert Young Democrats and Angela Mayo; FPPC No. 20/1131. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. High Desert Young Democrats is a local general purpose committee. Angela Mayo is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Mayo failed to timely file a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Campaign to Re-Elect Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole and Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole; FPPC No. 21/023. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform consultant. Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole was a successful candidate for Pomona City Council in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Campaign to Re-Elect Elizabeth Ontiveros-Cole was Ontiveros-Cole’s candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Ontiveros-Cole failed to timely disclose expenditures on two semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (2 counts). Fine: $327 (Tier One).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Stella Bratsis; FPPC No. 16/20052. Staff: David E. Castro, Commission Counsel. Stella Bratsis, as a Board Member for the Schools Insurance Group Northern Alliance, failed to timely file a 2015 Annual, 2016 Annual, and a Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Sections 87300 and 87302 (3 counts). Fine: $1,800 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Armando Garcia; FPPC No. 19/099. Staff: David E. Castro, Commission Counsel. Armando Garcia, as a member of the Board of Trustees for Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual, 2018 Annual, and a 2019 Annual/Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 and 87302 (3 counts). Fine: $600 (Tier One).
In the Matter of David Wang; FPPC No. 17/958. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. David Wang, a Senior Transportation Engineer for the Department of Transportation, failed to timely file a 2016 and 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $400 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Sameer Haddadeen; FPPC No. 17/1042. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Political Reform Consultant, Chloe Hackert. Sameer Haddadeen, as a Supervising Transportation Engineer for the Department of Transportation, failed to timely file a 2016 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Christopher Harms; FPPC No. 19/895. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Chloe Hackert, Political Reform Consultant. Christopher Harms, as a Board Member of the Potrero Community Planning Group, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Thomas Finnila; FPPC No. 19/1212. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Thomas Finnila, a Building Mechanical Inspector for the Department of Building and Safety, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Hillary Hulteen; FPPC No. 19/1474. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Hillary Hulteen, a Trustee for Twin Ridges Elementary School District, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Chris Dobson; FPPC No. 21/172. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Shaina Elkin, Staff Services Analyst. Chris Dobson, a Board Member for the Colusa Groundwater Authority, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Ruben Abrica; FPPC No. 21/194. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. Ruben Abrica, a member of the East Palo Alto City Council, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Ofelia Bello; FPPC No. 21/218. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. Ofelia Bello, a Planning Commissioner for the City of East Palo Alto, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of William Wesley; FPPC No. 21/222. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. William Wesley, a Planning Commissioner for the City of Fairfield, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Marcia Sablan; FPPC No. 21/236. Staff: Angela J. Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. Marcia Sablan, a member of the Firebaugh City Council, failed to timely file a 2019 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One)