FPPC Enforcement Decisions, May 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2025
For More Information Contact:
Shery Yang (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the 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.
I. The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Conflict of Interest
In the Matter of Donna Feiner; FPPC Case No. 23/227. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Senior Commission Counsel and George Aradi, Special Investigator. Donna Feiner, a member of the Board of Directors for the Mendocino City Community Services District, made governmental decisions that had a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on Feiner’s financial interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87100 (1 count). Fine: $4,000.
Mass Mailing at Public Expense
In the Matter of Cathedral City; FPPC No. 21/156. Staff: Alex Rose, Senior Commission Counsel and Jay Gehres, Special Investigator. The Respondent was represented by Eric S. Vail of Burke, Williams, & Sorensen. Cathedral City sent prohibited campaign-related mass mailings at public expense, in violation of Government Code Section 89001 and Regulation 18901.1 (2 counts); failed to include the proper advertising disclosure on mailers, in violation of Government Code Sections 84502 and 84504.2 (2 counts); failed to timely file an independent expenditure committee campaign statement for the period of January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, in violation of Government Code Section 84200, subdivision (b) (1 count); and failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (2 counts). Fine: $31,500.
Campaign Late Reporter
In the Matter of California Workers’ Justice Coalition Sponsored by Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and Ramses Teón-Nichols; FPPC No. 20/1060. Staff: Vanessa Jimmy, Commission Counsel and Katelin Angeloni, Special Investigator. The respondents were represented by Richard R. Rios of Olson Remcho, LLP. California Workers’ Justice Coalition Sponsored by Service Employees International Union Local 1021 is a general purpose committee. Ramses Teón-Nichols serves as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Teón-Nichols failed to timely report subvendor payments on a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Sections 84211, subdivision (k), and 84303 (1 count). Fine: $1,500.
Advertisements
In the Matter of Stand Up for Chico and Angela McLaughlin; FPPC No. 22/1047. Staff: Laura Columbel, Commission Counsel and Kaitlin Osborn, Special Investigator. Stand Up for Chico is a local general purpose committee. Angela McLaughlin served as the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and McLaughlin failed to timely file five pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (5 counts), one semi-annual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count), three 24-hour reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84204 (1 count), and failed to timely report one independent expenditure on a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count). In addition, the Committee failed to include the proper advertising disclosures on a yard sign, a social media landing page, and in a social media advertisement related to the November 8, 2022, General Election, in violation of Government Code Sections 84504.2, 84504.6, and 84506.5 (3 counts). Fine: $614 (Tier One).
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Adrian Greer for Azusa School Board 2018 and Adrian Greer; FPPC No. 21/089. Staff: Marissa Corona, Senior Commission Counsel. Adrian Greer was a successful candidate for Azusa School Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Adrian Greer for Azusa School Board 2018 was Adrian Greer’s candidate-controlled committee. Greer failed to timely file a Statement of Intention, in violation of Government Code Section 85200 (1 count). The Committee and Greer failed to timely file a Statement of Organization, in violation of Government Code Section 84103 (1 count). The Committee and Greer also failed to timely file one pre-election statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count), three semi-annual statements and four officeholder short form statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200 and 84206 (7 counts), and failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $3,139 (Tier 1).
In the Matter of Bryan Rasch; FPPC No. 22/704. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. Bryan Rasch, a former Trustee of the Eastside Union School District Board, failed to timely file two officeholder campaign statements in violation of Government Code Section 84200 and Regulation 18406 (2 counts). Fine: $400 (Tier One).
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer/Reporter
In the Matter of Stewart Ginn; FPPC No. 24/775. Staff: Kristin E. Goulet, Commission Counsel. Stewart Ginn, an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee Member for the San Dieguito Union High School District, failed to timely file the Assuming Office and 2023 Annual Statements of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $1,000 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Francine Sylvia; FPPC No. 22/539. Staff: Kristin E. Goulet, Commission Counsel. Francine Sylvia, a Recreation Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, failed to timely file the Assuming Office, 2020 Annual, 2021 Annual, 2022 Annual, and 2023 Annual Statements of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (5 counts). Fine: $600 (Tier One).
In the Matter of Aurelio Salazar, Jr.; FPPC No. 25/139. Staff: Christopher B. Burton, Assistant Chief of Enforcement and Vanessa Greer, Political Reform Consultant. Aurelio Salazar, Jr. was a successful candidate for Salinas City Council in the November 5, 2024 General Election. Salazar failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87202 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).