FPPC Enforcement Decisions, July 19, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2018

For More Information Contact:

Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761

The following are enforcement decisions approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission at its regular monthly meeting held on Thursday, July 20, 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 July 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.

Revolving Door - One-Year Ban

In the Matter of Christopher Lewis; FPPC No. 16/074. Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Neal Bucknell and Special Investigator Jeffrey Kamigaki. This case arose from an audit performed by the California State Auditor. Christopher Lewis separated from employment with the Department of Health Care Services, Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division in 2014 after serving as the Chief of the Licensing and Certification Section for almost four years. Michelle J. Berner of Kroesche Schindler LLP represented Lewis in this matter. In the year that followed, Lewis began representing members of the regulated community with respect to his former employer’s licensing and certification process. During this time, he frequently contacted DHCS for the purpose of attempting to influence or expedite decisions on behalf of his paying clients, in violation of Government Code Section 87406, subdivision (d)(1) (3 counts). Fine: $12,000.

Mass Mailings

In the Matter of Al Bairos and Committee to Re-elect Al D. Bairos OID Director District #4 2015; FPPC No. 15/1876. Staff: Assistant Chief Dave Bainbridge, Special Investigator Garrett Micheels, and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Dominika Wojenska. Al Bairos was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election to the Oakdale Irrigation District in the November 3, 2015 General Election. Re-elect Al D. Bairos OID Director District #4 2015 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Bairos failed to disclose contributions and expenditures, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count); failed to file one semiannual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count); and failed to include a proper disclaimer on a mass mailing, in violation of Government Code Section 84305, subdivision (a) and Regulation 18435, subdivision (d) (1 count). Fine: $4,000.

Campaign Non-Filer

In the Matter of Williams for AC Transit Board 2014 and Mark Williams; FPPC No. 16/205. (Streamline Settlement) Staff: Commission Counsel Ruth Yang, Associate Governmental Program Analyst Dominika Wojenska, and Special Investigator Garrett Micheels. Mark Williams was a successful candidate in the November 4, 2014 General Election for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Board of Directors. Williams for AC Transit Board 2014 is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Williams failed to timely file five semiannual campaign statements for the reporting periods of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 and October 19, 2014 through December 31, 2015, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (5 counts), and two pre-election campaign statements for the reporting periods of July 1, 2014 through October 18, 2014, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (2 counts). Fine: $7,135.

In the Matter of Ray Marquez for Assembly 2016, Ray Marquez, and Glenn Duncan; FPPC No. 17/729 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Associate Governmental Program Analyst Dominika Wojenska. Ray Marquez was an unsuccessful candidate for California State Assembly in the June 7, 2016 Primary Election. Ray Marquez for Assembly 2016 was his candidate-controlled committee. Glenn Duncan was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Marquez, and Duncan failed to timely file four 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (4 counts). Fine: $857.

In the Matter of Austin for Judge 2018 and Brian Austin; FPPC No. 18/00417 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Brian Austin was a successful candidate for Superior Court Judge of Madera County in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Austin for Judge 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Austin failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of April 22, 2018 through May 19, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $217.

In the Matter of Alan Rodier for Supervisor 5th District in Mendocino County; FPPC No. 18/387 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Alan Rodier was an unsuccessful candidate for Supervisor 5th District of Mendocino County in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Alan Rodier for Supervisor 5th District in Mendocino County is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Rodier failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of April 22, 2018 through May 19, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $205.

In the Matter of Elect Bryan Barrett Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools 2018; FPPC No. 18/423 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Bryan Barrett was an unsuccessful candidate for Superintendent of Schools of Mendocino County in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Elect Bryan Barrett Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Barrett failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $246.

In the Matter of Committee to Re-Elect Todd Finnell for Superintendent of Schools 2018; FPPC No. 18/426 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chris Holm. Todd Finnell was an unsuccessful candidate for Superintendent of Schools of Imperial County in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Committee to Re-Elect Todd Finnell for Superintendent of Schools 2018 is his candidate-controlled committee. Finnell and the Committee failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement for the reporting period of January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $224.

In the Matter of Committee to Elect Larry T. Burrus City Council 2018; Larry Burrus; FPPC No. 18/364 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Larry Burrus was an unsuccessful candidate for Fresno City Council in the June 5, 2018 Primary Election. Committee to Elect Larry T. Burrus City Council 2018 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Burrus failed to timely file one pre-election campaign statement covering the reporting period of January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $281.

Statement of Economic Interests Non-Filer

In the Matter of John Anagnos, FPPC No. 17/847. Staff: Commission Counsel Theresa Gilbertson. John Anagnos, an Alternate Commissioner for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, failed to timely file a 2016 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $2,000.

In the Matter of Louis Gonda; FPPC No. 18/456 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chloe Hackert. Louis Gonda, a Director of the Hidden Valley Municipal Water District, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests with the County of Ventura, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.

In the Matter of Matthew Peterson; FPPC No. 18/324 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Political Reform Consultant Chloe Hackert. Matthew Peterson, a Commissioner of the Belmont Shore Parking & Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests with the City of Long Beach, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.

In the Matter of Michael Kozlowski; FPPC No. 18/432 (Streamline Settlement). Staff: Chief of Enforcement Galena West and Intake Manager Tara Stock. Michael Kozlowski, a Utility Commission Member of the City of Folsom, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.