FPPC Enforcement Decisions: March 19, 2015

For More Information Contact

Jay Wierenga, (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

Contact: The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, March 19, 2015. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine or fines in each case.

Additional information on each of the enforcement cases below can be found in the March 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 by the commission and by 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.

Personal Use of Campaign Funds

Kenneth G. Mann, This matter arose out of an audit performed by the Political Reform Audit Program of the Franchise Tax Board. Kenneth G. Mann was a Lancaster City Council member and a successful candidate for reelection to that office on April 10, 2012. Re-elect Mann for City Council 2012 was his candidate controlled committee. In this matter, Mann caused the committee to make an expenditure of campaign funds, totaling $5,000, which conferred a substantial personal benefit on Respondent Mann, for purposes not directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose. $3,500 fine.
Campaign Reporting

Doreen Farr, Re-Elect Doreen Farr Supervisor 2012, and Susan Bott, Treasurer. This matter arose out of an audit performed by the Political Reform Audit Program of the Franchise Tax Board. Doreen Farr, her candidate-controlled committee, Re-Elect Doreen Farr Supervisor 2012, and its treasurer, Susan Bott, failed to timely report payments of $500 or more, totaling $149,318.25, made on the committee’s behalf by its agents and independent contractors during the January 1 through March 17, 2012, and March 18 through May 19, 2012, reporting periods. $2,500 fine.

California Association of Licensed Repossessors PAC and Marcelle Egley as Treasurer, failed to timely file the semi-annual statement, Form 460, covering the period July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, due January 31, 2014, with the Office of the Secretary of State. $200 fine.

Committee to Defeat Prop 23, Sponsored by Environment California, and Bernadette Del Chiaro, Treasurer. This matter arose out of an audit performed by the Political Reform Audit Program of the Franchise Tax Board. Committee to Defeat Prop 23, Sponsored by Environment California and Bernadette Del Chiaro as treasurer failed to report receipt of a contribution in the amount of $100,000 from the Sierra Club California No on Prop 23 Committee on a pre-election campaign statement that was filed for the reporting period ending October 16, 2010. $200 fine.

Major Donor Reporting

Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, failed to timely file a Major Donor Report (Form 461) disclosing one contribution covering the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, due on January 31, 2014, with the Office of the Secretary of State. $400 fine.
Late Contribution Reporting

The Mark Carnevale for Cathedral City Council 2014, Mark Carnevale, Walter D. McLaughlin, Treasurer, received three contributions totaling $5,563 during the 90 days before the November 4, 2014 election and failed to file three 24 hour contribution reports. $834 fine.

The Committee to Elect Shelley Kaplan to City Council 2014 and Shelley Kaplan, received four contributions totaling $4,500 during the 90 days before the November 4, 2014 election and failed to file four 24 hour contribution reports. $675 fine.

Statement of Economic Interests – Non-Filer

Andrew Green, as a member of the California Arts Council, failed to timely file a 2013 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, covering the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, due on April 1, 2014. $300 fine.

Cydney Bensimon, as a Hearing Officer with the City of Los Angeles, failed to timely file a 2013 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, covering the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, due on April 1, 2014. $200 fine.

Isis Spinola-Schwartz, as a Board Member on the Marin County Strawberry Design Review Board, failed to timely file a 2013 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, covering the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, due on April 1, 2014. $200 fine.

Pro-Active Gift Non-Reporting Brenda Saavedra, as a Trustee for the Delhi Unified School District, failed to timely disclose gifts of two meals valued at $157.64 on her 2010 Statement of Economic Interests from Stone and Youngberg LLC. $200 fine.