FPPC Enforcement Decisions, June 13, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2024

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.

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 June 13, 2024, 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.

Lobbying Reporting

In the Matter of New Livable California; FPPC No. 20/392. Staff: Marissa Corona Commission Counsel. New Livable California, a lobbyist employer, failed to timely file four lobbyist employer quarterly reports, in violation of Government Code Section 86116 (4 counts). Fine $2,764 (Tiers One & Two).

In the Matter of United Cannabis Business Association; FPPC No. 23/797. Staff: Chance Felkins, Commission Counsel. United Cannabis Business Association, a lobbying employer, failed to timely disclose lobbying activity on two quarterly lobbyist employer reports, in violation of Government Code Section 86116 (2 counts). Fine: $251 (Tier One).

Campaign Late Reporter

In the Matter of Salinas Valley Leadership Group, and Chris Steinbruner; FPPC No. 24/337. Staff: Jaleena Evans, Commission Counsel. Salinas Valley Leadership Group was represented by Andrew Werbrock of Olson Remcho, LLP. Salinas Valley Leadership Group is a local general purpose committee that supports local candidates. Chris Steinbruner serves as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Steinbrenner failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, a 24-Hour Report, and failed to report a non-monetary contribution and expenditure on a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5, 84203, and 84211 (3 counts). Fine: $670 (Tier One).

Campaign Late Filer

In the Matter of David Wiener and the Survivor’s Trust Under the Wiener Family; FPPC 21/1071. Staff: Cinthya Bernabé, Commission Counsel and Kaitlin Osborn, Special Investigator. The Respondents were represented by Michael A. Farr of Reed & Davidson, LLP. David Wiener and the Survivor’s Trust Under the Wiener Family, a major donor committee for the calendar years 2018 and 2020, failed to timely file thirteen 24-Hour Reports and four semi-annual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84203 and 84200(b). Fine: $10,000 (Tiers One & Two).

In the Matter of David Bramante for Governor 2021, David Bramante, and Kayla Bramante; FPPC No. 21/805. Staff: Chance Felkins, Commission Counsel. David Bramante was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of the State of California in the state gubernatorial recall election on September 14, 2021. David Bramante for Governor 2021 was David Bramante’s state candidate-controlled committee. Kayla Bramante served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, David Bramante, and Kayla Bramante failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts). Fine: $998 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Henry Jones for CalPERS Board 2019 and Henry Jones; FPPC No. 21/020. Staff: Bridgette Castillo, Senior Commission Counsel. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Audit Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission. The respondent was represented by Joseph Guardarrama with Kaufman Legal Group. Henry Jones for CalPERS Board 2019 was Jones’ state candidate-controlled committee. Jones was a member of the CalPERS Board until 2022. The Committee and Jones failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $984 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Erika Simmons, Dr. Erika Simmons for School Board School Board, Alpine (Year 2022), Sarah Reimund; FPPC No. 23/123. Staff: Jaleena Evans, Commission Counsel. Erika Simmons was an unsuccessful candidate for the Alpine Union School District Board in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Dr. Erika Simmons for School Board School Board, Alpine (Year 2022) was Simmons’ candidate-controlled committee. Sarah Reimund served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Simmons failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 Counts). Fine: $687 (Tiers One & Two).

In the Matter of Yes on El Cajon Measure P – A Committee in Support of Measure P, Briana Baleskie; FPPC No. 22/769. Staff: Jaleena Evans, Commission Counsel. Yes on El Cajon Measure P – A Committee in Support of Measure P was a primarily formed committee to support Measure P, a ballot measure in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Briana Baleskie served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 Count). Fine: $300 (Tier 1).

In the Matter of Jenny Kassan for Fremont City Council District 3 2022, Jenny Kassan, and Vinnie Bacon; FPPC No. 22/808. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. Jenny Kassan was a successful candidate for Fremont City Council District 3 in the November 8, 2022 General Election. Jenny Kassan for Fremont City Council District 3 was Kassan's local candidate-controlled committee. Vinnie Bacon served as the Committee's treasurer. The Committee, Kassan, and Bacon failed to timely file one 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $270 (Tier One).

In the Yes on Measure L and Varinder Bains; FPPC No. 20/835. Staff: Marissa Corona, Commission Counsel and Roone Peterson, Special Investigator. Yes on Measure L was a primarily formed committee supporting Measure L, a ballot measure in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Varinder Bains served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Bains failed to timely file one 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $260 (Tier One).

Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer

In the Matter of Ruby Arias; FPPC No. 24/360. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Staff Services Analyst. Ruby Arias, an Alternate Board Member for Schools Insurance Group Northern Alliance I, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Brett McLarney; FPPC No. 24/418. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Fela Williams, Staff Services Analyst. Brett McLarney, a Measure H 2014 Oversight Committee Member with the Santa Clara Unified School District, failed to timely file the 2022 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400 (Tier 1).

In the Matter of Gary Cooper; FPPC No. 21/841. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement, and Taylor Culberson, Staff Services Analyst. Gary Cooper, Board Member of Diamond Springs El Dorado Fire Protection District, failed to timely file the 2020 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).