FPPC Enforcement Decisions, May 16, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 16, 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 May 16, 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.

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In the Matter of Commerce Business Alliance, Sachin Gulaya; FPPC No. 20/240. Staff: Marissa Corona, Commission Counsel and Jay Gehres, Special Investigator. Commerce Business Alliance is a primarily formed committee in support of two candidates and in opposition of two candidates for Commerce City Council in the November 3, 2020 General Election. The Committee and Gulaya failed to include the proper advertisement disclosure on four mailers, in violation of Government Code Sections 84502, 84504.2 and 84506.5 (4 counts) and failed to include the names of the candidates it supported and opposed along with the office sought and election year in the name of the committee, in violation of Government Code Section 84102 (1 count). Fine: $1,303 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Lynwood Families for Progress, Maria Santillan-Beas; FPPC No. 23/614. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Kristin Hamilton, Special Investigator. Lynwood Families for Progress is a primarily formed committee in support of Measure R in the City of Lynwood. Maria Santillan-Beas serves as the Committee’s principal officer. The Committee and Santillan-Beas failed to include the proper advertising disclosure on mailers distributed prior to the June 7, 2022 Primary Election, in violation of Government Code Section 84502 (3 counts). Fine: $903 (Tier One).

Campaign Late Filer

In the Matter of Aneel Bhusri; FPPC No. 21/700. Staff: Neal Bucknell, Senior Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. Aneel Bhusri is represented by Emily Erlingsson of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. In 2018 and 2020, Aneel Bhusri qualified as a major donor, but failed to timely file three major donor campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subdivision (b) (3 counts), and failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $3,200 (Tier Two).

In the Matter of Zeka Ranch LLC, Louisa Zee Kao; FPPC No. 18/1061. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and George Aradi, Special Investigator. Zeka Ranch, LLC was a local independent expenditure committee. Zee Kao served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Kao failed to timely file two 24-Hour Independent Expenditure Reports and one independent expenditure campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Sections 84204 and 84200 (3 counts). Additionally, the Committee and Zee Kao failed to include the proper disclosure on an advertisement in opposition of the City of Antioch’s Measure T in the November 3, 2020 General Election, in violation of Government Code Section 84502 (1 count). Fine: $1,936 (Tiers One & Two).

In the Matter of Vinton Bacon and Vinnie Bacon for Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 1 - 2020; FPPC No. 20/750. Staff: Artin Berjikly, Senior Commission Counsel and Roone Petersen, Special Investigator. Vinton Bacon was an unsuccessful candidate for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 1 in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Vinnie Bacon for Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 1 – 2020 was Bacon’s candidate-controlled committee. Bacon served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Bacon failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $1,836 (Tier Two).

Campaign Non-Reporter

In the Matter of Ronald Terry for Sheriff 2019, Ronald Terry; FPPC No. 21/1024. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Katelin Angeloni, Special Investigator. Ronald Terry was an unsuccessful candidate for San Francisco County Sheriff in the November 5, 2019 General Election. Ronald Terry for Sheriff 2019 was Terry’s candidate-controlled committee. Terry served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Terry failed to timely report $20,334 in contributions on a semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $710 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Carolyn Wysinger for WCCUSD 2020; Carolyn Wysinger; FPPC No. 21/297. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Kristin Hamilton, Special Investigator. Carolyn Wysinger was an unsuccessful candidate for West Contra Costa Unified School District in the November 3, 2020 General Election. Carolyn Wysinger for WCCUSD 2020 was Wysinger’s candidate-controlled committee. Wysinger served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Wysinger failed to timely report $1,062 in expenditures on a pre-election campaign, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). Fine: $131 (Tier One).

Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer

In the Matter of Kellie Burt; FPPC No. 23/775. Staff: James M. Lindsay, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Rodriguez, Staff Services Analyst. Kellie Burt, a Planning Commissioner for the City of Willows, failed to timely file a 2022 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).

In the Matter of Frank Damrell; FPPC No. 22/594. Staff: Christopher Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement. Frank Damrell, a Board Member with the Delta Stewardship Council, failed to timely file a 2020 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 Count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).