FPPC Enforcement Decisions, September 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 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 September 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, September 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.
In the Matter of Ocean View Teachers Association PAC, Tanysia Sanchez (a.k.a. Tanysia Phillips), Margaret Friedmann, and Pauline Wong; FPPC No. 16/705. Staff: Angela Brereton, Assistant Chief Counsel and Roone Petersen, Special Investigator. Ocean View Teachers Association PAC is a local general purpose committee that supported local candidates and state and local ballot measures in the November 8, 2016 General Election. Pauline Wong was the Committee’s principal officer during relevant times. Tanysia Sanchez was the Committee’s treasurer from September 2012 through September 2016, and Margaret Friedmann served as treasurer from October 2016 through the present. The Committee, Sanchez, and Friedmann failed to properly report a photoshoot and two mailers paid for by the Committee, in coordination with two candidates and a ballot measure committee, on two pre-election campaign statements and one semiannual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 and Regulation 18225.7 (1 count). The Committee and Friedmann failed to timely file two 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Section 84203, subdivisions (a) and (b) (1 count). Additionally, the Committee and Wong failed to include the proper advertisement disclosures on yard sign and banner advertisements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84506, subdivision (a)(1), 84506.5, subdivision (a), and Regulation 18450.4, subdivision (b)(3) and (D) (1 count). Fine: $9,000.
Campaign Bank Account
In the Matter of Brian Payton for Eureka City School Board 2018 and Brian Payton; FPPC No. 18/916. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel. Brian Payton was an unsuccessful candidate for Eureka City School Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Brian Payton for Eureka City School Board 2018 was his candidate-controlled committee. The Committee and Payton failed to use one designated campaign bank account for all contributions and expenditures, in violation of Government Code Section 85201 (1 count). Fine: $2,000.
Campaign Late Filer/Reporter
In the Matter of Jumpstart Vallejo, Curtis Laffety, and John Cummings; FPPC No. 16/19958. Staff: Michael W. Hamilton, Commission Counsel and Roone Petersen, Special Investigator. The respondents were represented by Lance Olson of Olson Remcho, LLP. Jumpstart Vallejo is a local primarily formed committee that supported candidates in the November 8, 2016 and November 6, 2018 General Elections. Curtis Laffety was the Committee’s treasurer from August 4, 2016 through June 11, 2018, and John Cummings served as treasurer from June 11, 2018 through the present. In 2016, the Committee and Laffety failed to timely report independent expenditures on a pre-election campaign statement and a semiannual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (1 count), and failed to timely file 24-Hour Reports for contributions and late independent expenditures, in violation of Government Code Sections 84203 and 84204 (1 count). In 2017, the Committee and Laffety failed to timely file two semiannual campaign statements, and in 2019, the Committee and Cummings also failed to timely file two semiannual campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). In 2018, the Committee and Cummings failed to timely file two semiannual campaign statements and two pre-election campaign statements, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200 and 84200.5 (1 count), and failed to timely file 24-Hour Reports, in violation of Government Code Sections 84203 and 84204 (2 counts). Fine: $14,000.
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 September 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.
Campaign Late Filer
In the Matter of Brenda Zendejas for Board of Trustee 2018, Brenda Zendejas, and Adolfo Zendejas; FPPC No. 18/923. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Brenda Zendejas was an unsuccessful candidate for Alum Rock Union Elementary School District Board in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Brenda Zendejas for Board of Trustee 2018 was her candidate-controlled committee. Adolfo Zendejas was the Committee’s treasurer. The Committee, Zendejas, and Zendejas failed to timely file a statement of organization to disclose the date the Committee was qualified, in violation of Government Code Section 84103 (1 count); failed to timely file a pre-election campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200.5 (1 count); and failed to timely file a semiannual campaign statement, in violation of Government Code Section 84200 (1 count). Fine: $606.
Lobbying
In the Matter of Palo Alto Networks; FPPC No. 20/470. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Chloe Hackert, Political Reform Consultant. Palo Alto Networks, a lobbyist employer, failed to timely file three lobbyist employer quarterly reports, in violation of Government Code Section 86117 (3 counts). Fine: $1,160.
In the Matter of California Industrial Hygiene Council; FPPC No. 18/1494. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Ginny Lambing, Political Reform Consultant. California Industrial Hygiene Council, a lobbyist employer, failed to timely file one lobbyist employer quarterly report, in violation of Government Code Section 86117 (1 count). Fine: $335.
Statement of Economic Interests Late Filer
In the Matter of Maryam Hosseinzadeh; FPPC No. 16/19884. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Maryam Hosseinzadeh, a former Arts Associate for the Department of Cultural Affairs, failed to timely file a 2015 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $400.
In the Matter of Keshia Thomas; FPPC No. 19/808. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Keshia Thomas, a Governing Board Member for Fresno Unified School District, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87202 (1 count). Fine: $400.
In the Matter of Ognjen Petras; FPPC No. 19/859. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Ognjen Petras, a Physician and Surgeon for California Correctional Health Care Services, failed to timely file an Assuming Office and 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (2 counts). Fine: $400.
In the Matter of Rosalva Villegas; FPPC No. 20/487. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Rosalva Villegas, a Psychologist for California Correctional Health Care Services, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Eddy Hartenstein; FPPC No. 19/1311. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Eddy Hartenstein, Director for Hidden Valley Municipal Water District, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Michael Vacio; FPPC No. 19/893. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Michael Vacio, Director for San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Doug Cox; FPPC No. 19/1777. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Doug Cox, a Planning Commissioner for the City of Fullerton, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87202 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Robert Felker; FPPC No. 19/1411. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Amber Burnside, Staff Services Analyst. Robert Felker, a Planning Commissioner for the City of Kerman, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87203 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Charles William Camp; FPPC No. 19/1506. Staff: Jenna C. Rinehart, Commission Counsel. Charles William Camp, a former Board Member for the California Workforce Development Board, failed to timely file a 2018 Annual/Leaving Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Total Proposed $200.
In the Matter of Jennifer Dean; FPPC No. 19/176. Staff: Theresa Gilbertson, Senior Commission Counsel. Jennifer Dean, a Site Supervisor for Pacific View Charter School, failed to timely file a 2017 Annual Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.
In the Matter of Susan Lenz; FPPC No. 19/1308. Staff: Galena West, Chief of Enforcement and Kimberly Rawnsley, Staff Services Analyst. Susan Lenz, an Alternate Commissioner for the Delta Protection Commission, failed to timely file an Assuming Office Statement of Economic Interests, in violation of Government Code Section 87300 (1 count). Fine: $200.