FPPC Enforcement Release, August 17, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 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 June 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 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, March 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.
Advertisements
In the Matter of Yes on L - Oceansiders for Jobs, Health, and Safety, a coalition of Farmers, Firefighters, Business Leaders & Affordable Housing Advocates, sponsored by The NRF Project Owner, and Nancy Haley; FPPC No. 20/873. Staff: Alex Rose, Commission Counsel. The respondents are represented by Ash Pirayou. Yes on L - Oceansiders for Jobs, Health, and Safety, a coalition of Farmers, Firefighters, Business Leaders & Affordable Housing Advocates, sponsored by The NRF Project Owner is a local primarily formed committee. Nancy Haley is the committee’s principal officer and treasurer. The Committee and Haley failed to include the proper advertising disclosures on text messages distributed prior to the November 3, 2020 General Election, in violation of Government Code Sections 84503 and 84504.7 (2 counts). Fine: $894 (Tier Two).
In the Matter of ACLU of Northern California; FPPC No. 18/1511. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel and Lance Hachigian, Special Investigator. The respondent is represented by James Harrison of Olson Remcho LLP. ACLU of Northern California paid for a communication that unambiguously urged a vote against clearly identified candidates in advance of the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. ACLU of Northern California failed to timely disclose reportable activity on a campaign statement and failed to timely file a 24-hour independent expenditure report, in violation of Government Code Sections 84211 and 84204 (1 count); and failed to include proper disclosure statements on an advertisement, in violation of Government Code Sections 84502, 84504.2, and 84506.5 (1 count). Fine: $6,500.
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Cathi Eredia for EMCSD Board 2015, Cathi Eredia for City Clerk 2018, and Cathi Eredia; FPPC No. 18/972. Staff: Marissa Corona, Commission Counsel. Cathi Eredia was a successful candidate for the City of El Monte City Clerk in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Cathi Ereida for City Clerk 2018 was Eredia’s candidate-controlled committee. Cathi Eredia served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Eredia failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts), failed to timely file two 24-hour contribution reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts), and failed to timely report $8,214 in contributions on a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $1,650 (Tiers One & Two).
In the Matter of Committee to Elect Mario A. Martinez, Jr. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge 2022, Mario Martinez, Jr., and Anthony Flores; FPPC No. 23/499. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. Mario A. Martinez, Jr. was an unsuccessful candidate for San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge in the June 7, 2022 Primary Election. Committee to Elect Mario A. Martinez, Jr. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge 2022 is Martinez’s candidate-controlled committee. Anthony Flores served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Martinez, and Flores failed to timely file six 24-hour contribution reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (6 counts). Fine: $1,557 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Ana Diaz for Roseland School Board 2022, Ana Diaz, and Lisset Rico Caballero; FPPC No. 23/174. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. Ana Diaz was an unsuccessful candidate for Roseland School Board in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Ana Diaz for Roseland School Board 2022 is Diaz’s candidate-controlled committee. Lisset Rico Caballero served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Diaz, and Rico Caballero failed to timely file a 24-hour contribution report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 and 84203.3 (1 count). Fine: $460 (Tier Two).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Sid LaGrande; FPPC No. 23/294. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Acting Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Brown, Political Reform Consultant. Sid LaGrande, Alternate Commissioner of the Rice Commission, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87202 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).
Lobbying Reporting
In the Matter of Dawn Addis, Dawn Addis for Assembly 2020, and Steve Black; FPPC Nos. 20/118 and 20/119. Staff: Neal Bucknell, Senior Commission Counsel. Respondents Dawn Addis and Addis for Assembly 2020 are represented by Richard Rios of Olson Remcho LLP. Respondent Steve Black is represented by Gary Winuk of the Kaufman Legal Group. Black was a lobbyist who was registered to lobby the California State Legislature. In December 2019, Black made a contribution to Dawn Addis for Assembly 2020, in violation of Government Code Section 85702 (1 count). Additionally, Addis and Dawn Addis for Assembly 2020 accepted the contribution, in violation of Government Code Section 85702 (1 count). Fine: $2,500.
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