FPPC Takes Action to Disclose Backers of Political Campaign Signs

June 1, 2016                                                                       

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jay Wierenga, FPPC Communications Director

(916) 322-7761

 

         To ensure voters have the vital information they need before an election, the FPPC is publicizing those individuals that have violated the law by failing to properly disclose the true source of various political signs.

        The FPPC’s latest case involves green and white signs with red letters in Siskiyou County opposing Measures T and U, which are on the ballot for the June 7th primary. Campaign committee Siskiyou Alternative Medicine Opposing Measures T & U and its principal officer Wayne Walent and treasurers, Ann Walent and Elizabeth Tabor, admit to violating the Political Reform Act by not meeting the disclosure requirements for an advertisement. Under the Act, advertisements like these must contain a disclosure statement of a certain size on the advertisement that identifies the source for people to see.

        Committee Siskiyou Alternative Medicine Opposing Measures T & U is the source of the green and white signs with red lettering in Siskiyou County opposing Measures T and U, including 470 18” x 24” campaign signs and two 4’x 8’ campaign signs. 

        Although the advertisements include PAC numbers, the text of the disclosure statement is not large enough or specific enough to provide adequate disclosure under the Political Reform Act. The respondents, Siskiyou Alternative Medicine Opposing Measures T & U, Wayne Walent, Ann Walent, and Elizabeth Tabor, have admitted the violations and agreed to the release of this information. Ms. Tabor stated that the omission was an inadvertent error and was not done purposefully. The case is pending for

further action in the Enforcement Division.

        “Our goal is to ensure that all campaign ads provide adequate and timely disclosure of the funders,” said Galena West, FPPC Enforcement Chief. “I’m happy we’ve found a way to achieve disclosure before the election. The spirit of the law is for campaigns to compete fairly, and give the voters the information they deserve and are legally entitled to.”

        The FFPC is providing this information in advance of the June primary so the voters of Siskiyou County have the information which clearly states the source of these advertisements in text of a certain size.

        Every election, the FPPC takes a number of pro-active measures to make sure campaigns are following the rules. This includes making sure candidates file reports properly, quickly resolving complaints initiated by competing campaigns, and compelling legally required disclosure on political advertising.

                                                                               

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