FPPC Enforcement Decisions, December 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2020
For More Information Contact:
Jay Wierenga (916) 322-7761
Additional information on each of the enforcement cases listed below can be found in the December 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, December 17, 2020. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Campaign Bank Account
In the Matter of Rossana Mitchell-Arrieta for Chino Hills City Council 2016, Rossana Mitchell-Arrieta, and Frank Arrieta; FPPC No. 17/462. Staff: Christopher Burton, Senior Commission Counsel and Lance Hachigian, Special Investigator. Rossana Mitchell-Arrieta was an unsuccessful candidate for Chino Hills City Council in the November 8, 2016 General Election. Rossana Mitchell-Arrieta for Chino Hills City Council 2016 was her candidate-controlled committee. Frank Arrieta was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Mitchell-Arrieta, and Arrieta failed to pay expenditures from the designated campaign bank account, in violation of Government Code Section 85201, subdivisions (d) and (e) (1 count), and failed to maintain adequate source documentation for contributions and expenditures, in violation of Government Code Section 84104 and Regulation 18401 (1 count). Fine: $6,500.
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Del Terra Real Estate Services Inc.; FPPC No. 18/619. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel and Ann Flaherty, Special Investigator. The respondent was represented by Zweiback, Fiset & Coleman LLP. Del Terra Real Estate Services, Inc. qualified as a major donor in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Del Terra Real Estate Services, Inc failed to timely file six semiannual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (4 counts) and failed to timely file three 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Fine: $11,500.
II. The following are enforcement decisions approved through the streamline penalty process and were executed by the Chief of Enforcement per Regulation 18360.2 following the December 17, 2020 meeting. Decisions are listed by category and include a brief summary of each case and the total amount of any administrative fine in each case.
Recordkeeping
In the Matter of Marijuana Policy Project of California, Yes on 64 and Lindsay Robinson; FPPC No. 19/1583. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Dominika Wojenska, Associate Governmental Program Analyst. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. Marijuana Policy Project of California, Yes on 64 was a state primarily formed committee. Lindsay Robinson was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Robinson failed to maintain adequate campaign records for contributions received, in violation of Government Code Section 84104 (1 count). Fine: $200.
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of No on Prop 66, Californians for Fair Justice, sponsored by social justice organizations, and Lisa Le; FPPC No. 19/572. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Dominika Wojenska, Associate Governmental Program Analyst. This matter arose from an audit performed by the Franchise Tax Board’s Political Reform Audit Program. No on Prop 66, Californians for Fair Justice, sponsored by social justice organizations is a state primarily formed committee. Lisa Le is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Le failed to timely file four 10-Day Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 85309 (4 counts) and failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 85309 and 84203 (2 counts). Fine: $4,083.
In the Matter of Coastal Bluff Conservancy and Carla Echols-Hayes; FPPC No. 20/944. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. Coastal Bluff Conservancy is a local general purpose committee that was active during the November 3, 2020 General Election. Carla Echols-Hayes is the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee and Echols-Hayes failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count). Fine: $238.
Lobbying
In the Matter of CBRE; FPPC No. 20/432. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Tara Stock, Intake Manager. CBRE, a lobbyist employer, failed to timely file two lobbyist employer reports, in violation of Government Code Section 86117 (2 counts). Fine: $895.
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Jeffrey Alderman; FPPC No. 17/478. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel and George Aradi, Special Investigator. Jeffrey Alderman, a member of the Board of Directors for Cottonwood Fire Protection District, failed to timely file an Assuming Office and a 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interest, in violation of Government Code Sections 87300 and 87302 (5 counts). Fine: $1,000.
In the Matter of Ivor Van Wingerden; FPPC No. 19/1318. Staff: Angela Brereton, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Assistant Political Reform Consultant. Ivor Van Wingerden, an alternate member of the California Cut Flower Commission, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400.