HOLLISTER
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz has amended a second campaign finance statement, this time to show he received a $125 in-kind donation for food from the former Broken Wing bar at his election-night party, following a Free Lance investigation confirming unreported fundraising support for the official.
De La Cruz on Monday submitted the amendment to his campaign report covering May 18 through June 30 of last year. It notes the $125 from the business on June 3 for “food for election night,” according to his report.
It is the second campaign finance document De La Cruz has amended to include previously unreported donations.
De La Cruz’s amendments follow the newspaper’s investigation that found the supervisor received support throughout his campaign from Lombardo & Gilles, the law firm representing DMB-El Rancho San Benito, which he had not itemized on his reports. That confirmed support included the firm’s organization of two campaign fundraisers and that election-night party at the Broken Wing, after which the law firm offered to fund the event’s balance.
De La Cruz today said he had tried calling Larry Otis, who owned the Broken Wing, but could not reach him and estimated the $125 amount based on a Free Lance story detailing the supervisor’s support from Lombardo & Gilles.
“It could be less, but I put it as $125 just to be on the safe side,” De La Cruz said.
The District 5 supervisor said he is finished with 2008 amendments but he has to examine his 2007 finances yet. He previously has said he also would need to amend his reports to reflect unreported campaign activity at a December 2007 fundraiser at Tres Pinos Inn.
“Thank you for bringing it to my attention,” De La Cruz said of the missing items.
In response to questions over donations to De La Cruz, a law firm official has pointed out how the business often backs political candidates who support the agriculture industry. A DMB representative – whose company is proposing the 6,800-unit community northwest of Hollister – has said he had been unaware of the firm’s campaign activity.
Regarding the first of two amendments following the newspaper’s examination, the Feb. 11 addition to De La Cruz’s campaign reports relates to an event held at Bedolla Family Vineyards on April 17 – he previously had recalled it took place in May – before his June victory. Noted in the amended report is $265 in services from Lombardo & Gilles for “Organizing Event For Fundraiser.”
He also included in his most recent statement a $189 in-kind donation from Lombardo & Gilles for assisting him in organizing a July fundraiser at San Juan Oaks.
