FPPC Enforcement Decisions: September 17, 2026

Contact:

Shery Yang, FPPC

(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 need further assistance, please contact the FPPC communications office at (916) 322-7761 or press@fppc.ca.gov.

The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.

Behested Payments

In the Matter of Matt Mahan; FPPC No. 26/618. Staff: Kristin E. Goulet, Commission Counsel. Matt Mahan is represented by Gary Winuk of the Kaufman Legal Group. Mahan failed to timely file Form 803 behested payment reports regarding approximately 38 charitable payments of $5,000 or more totaling approximately $2,369,550, in violation of Government Code Sections 82004.5 and 84224 (16 counts). Fine: $27,500.

Campaign Bank Account

In the Matter of Gifford for Judge 2026 and Tom Gifford; FPPC No. 26/290. Staff: Chance Felkins, Commission Counsel. Gifford for Judge 2026 is Tom Gifford’s local candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Gifford failed to process expenditures through a campaign bank account, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 (1 count). The Committee and Gifford failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count), and failed to timely file a statement of organization, in violation of Government Code Section 84101 (1 count). Fine: $1,340 (Tiers One and Two). 

Advertisements

In the Matter of Yorba Linda Taxpayers Association and Thomas Lynch; FPPC No. 23/152. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel and Carlie Haug, Staff Services Analyst. Yorba Linda Taxpayers Association is a local general purpose committee. Thomas Lynch serves as the committee's treasurer. The Committee and Lynch failed to timely report independent expenditures in violation of Government Code Section 84211(k)(5) (1 count), failed to disclose the candidate supported in violation of Government Code Section 84204(b) (2 counts), and failed to include the proper advertisement disclosures on flyers and mailers, in violation of Government Code Section 84504.2 and 84506.5 (4 counts). Fine: $635 (Tier One).

Campaign Late Filer/Reporter

In the Matter of Johnny Ybarra for Fullerton City Council District 3, 2022, John Ybarra, and Lizette Salgado; FPPC No. 23/203. Staff: Jonathan Rivera, Commission Counsel. Ybarra was an unsuccessful candidate for the Fullerton City Council in 2022. Johnny Ybarra for Fullerton City Council District 3, 2022 was the candidate's candidate-controlled committee. Salgado served as the committee's treasurer. The Committee, Ybarra, and Salgado failed to timely file two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200.5 and 84200.8 (2 counts), seven semiannual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (7 counts), and nine 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (9 counts). Fine: $2,909 (Tiers One and Two).

Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer/Reporter

In the Matter of LanPhuong Nguyen; FPPC No. 25/1103. Staff: Franceska Gonzalez, Commission Counsel. LanPhuong Nguyen, Commissioner for the Measure W Oversight Committee of the City of Stockton, failed to timely file their Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests and 2025 Annual Statement of Economic Interests in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $400 (Tier One). 

In the Matter of Robert Lea; FPPC No. 26/288. Staff: Stephanie Meaglia, Commission Counsel. The Respondent is represented by Charles Deyoe. Robert Lea, a former member of the California Walnut Commission, failed to timely file a 2024 Annual Statement of Economic Interests and a Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200 (Tier One).