FPPC Enforcement Decisions, March 22, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

March 22, 2018

For More Information Contact:

Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761

.pdf version of news release

The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.

Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed 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 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.

Campaign Bank Account 

In the Matter of Christensen, Serkin, and Waller for School Board 2017, Michael Christensen, Brad Serkin, and Brad Waller; FPPC No. 17/00098. Staff: Commission Counsel Theresa Gilbertson and Special Investigator Marshall Miller. Christensen, Serkin, and Waller for School Board 2017 was a jointly controlled committee formed to support the successful re-election of Michael Christensen, Brad Serkin, and Brad Waller to the Redondo Beach Unified School District Board of Education in the March 7, 2017 Special Election. Waller also served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Christensen, Serkin, and Waller failed to pay campaign expenditures from the designated campaign bank account, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 (1 count). Fine: $2,000. 

Mass Mailing 

In the Matter of Dan Roundtree for Thousand Oaks City Council 2015, Dan Roundtree, and Darby Levin; FPPC No. 15/701. Staff: Commission Counsel Theresa Gilbertson and Special Investigator Jeffrey Kamigaki. Dan Roundtree was an unsuccessful candidate for the City Council of Thousand Oaks in the June 2, 2015 Primary Election. Dan Roundtree for Thousand Oaks City Council 2015 was his candidate-controlled committee. Darby Levin served as a paid campaign consultant. The Committee, Roundtree, and Levin failed to disclose identifying information on a mass mailing, in violation of Government Code Section 84305, subdivision (a) and Regulation 18435, subdivision (d) (1 count). Fine: $3,500.   

Campaign Reporting 

In the Matter of Committee for Quality Schools – Yes on Measure T, Randy Freeman, and Xochitl Tafolla-Molina; FPPC No. 16/330. Staff: Commission Counsel Christopher Burton and Program Specialist Luz Bonetti. Committee for Quality Schools – Yes on Measure T was a committee primarily formed to support Perris Union High School District Measure T, a local school bond tax measure on the ballot in the November 6, 2012 General Election. Randy Freeman was the Committee’s principal officer. Xochitl Tafolla-Molina was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Freeman, and Tafolla-Molina failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subdivision (a) (1 count); failed to timely report certain subvendor payments, in violation of Government Code Sections 84303 and 84211, subdivision (k)(6) (1 count); and failed to timely file 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $9,000. 

Campaign Non-Filer 

In the Matter of Dr. Weber for Assembly 2014, Dr. Shirley Weber and Xavier Martinez; FPPC No. 16/038. Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Bridgette Castillo and Program Specialist Soni Mangat. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Dr. Shirley Weber was a successful candidate in the November 4, 2014 General Election. Dr. Weber for Assembly 2014 was her candidate-controlled committee. Xavier Martinez was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Weber, and Martinez failed to timely file one $5,000 Report, in violation of Government Code Section 85309, subdivision (c) (1 count); and failed to timely file five 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 84203 and 85309, subdivision (a) (1 count). Fine: $4,000. 

In the Matter of Robert G. Jones, Robert G. Jones for Los Rios Trustee 2010, and Julianne C. Jones; FPPC No. 16/339. Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Angela Brereton and Special Investigator Roone Peterson. Robert G. Jones was a successful incumbent candidate for Trustee for the Los Rios Community College District in the November 4, 2014 General Election and has held this office since 2006. Robert G. Jones For Los Rios Trustee 2010 was his candidate-controlled committee for the 2010 and 2014 General Elections. Julianne C. Jones was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Jones, and Jones failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods of July 1, 2014 through October 18, 2014, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84200.7; failed to timely file one semiannual campaign statement for the reporting period of October 19, 2014 through December 31, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count); and failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203, subdivision (a) (1 count). Fine: $3,500. 

In the Matter of Lighting Efficiency & Design, Inc.; FPPC No. 18/00028 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Lighting Efficiency & Design, Inc. is a state major donor committee. The Committee failed to timely file major donor statements for the reporting periods of January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subdivision (b) (3 counts); and failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203, subdivisions (a) and (b) (4 counts). Fine: $1,834. 

In the Matter of Independent Women's Voice (Support Steve Glazer / Oppose Susan Bonilla - Senate 2015) (Nonprofit 501(c)(4) Organization); FPPC No. 15/279 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Neal Bucknell and Special Investigator George Aradi. In 2015, Independent Women’s Voice (a nonprofit multipurpose organization, which was primarily formed to Support Steve Glazer and oppose Susan Bonilla in a special election for California State Senate, 7th District) failed to timely file six 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (6 counts). Fine: $1,332. 

In the Matter of Steve Tye for Diamond Bar City Council 2013, Steven Tye, and Patricia A. Tye; FPPC No. 17/00074 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Staff Services Analyst Hayley Porter. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Steven Tye was a successful incumbent candidate for Diamond Bar City Council in the November 5, 2013 General Election. Steve Tye for Diamond Bar City Council 2013 was his candidate-controlled committee. Patricia A. Tye was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Tye, and Tye failed to timely file three 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (3 counts). Fine: $640. 

In the Matter of Keehn for Judge 2014; FPPC No. 16/472 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Bridgette Castillo and Program Specialist Bob Perna. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Carla Keehn was an unsuccessful candidate for Superior Court Judge in San Diego County in the June 3, 2014 Primary Election. Keehn for Judge 2014 was her candidate-controlled committee.. Larry Conway was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Keehn, and Conway failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $500. 

Statement of Economic Interests Non-Reporting 

In the Matter of Whitney Benzian; FPPC No. 17/01463 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Teri Rindahl. Whitney Benzian, City Council Member for the City of Coronado, failed to timely disclose his investment interest in and income from Benzian Brothers on his Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Sections 87206 and 87207 (1 count). Fine: $100.