The chairwoman of the San Benito County Republican Central
Committee filed a lawsuit against her predecessor Thursday,
alleging he illegally spent money from the committee’s account
without approval.
Hollister – The chairwoman of the San Benito County Republican Central Committee filed a lawsuit against her predecessor Thursday, alleging he illegally spent money from the committee’s account without approval.
Former Chairman Marvin Jones said Chairwoman Jennifer Zapata threatened him with a civil suit if he did not resign as a member of the committee. When he declined to do so, she filed a $5,000 small claims lawsuit against him, he said.
On Wednesday, the Free Lance reported that Zapata asked Jones to resign. Jones said the day after the article was published, Zapata sent him a letter stating unless he resigned immediately she would report the allegations of fiscal misconduct to the Fair Political Practices Commission, Federal Elections Commission and the Secretary of State’s Office.
“It read like a whole lot of extortion,” Jones said. “It sounds like they’re carrying through with their threats.”
Representatives with the Fair Political Practices Commission and Secretary of States offices do not comment on whether they’ve received complaints.
The complaint stems from an audit review committee’s determination that Jones was irresponsible in his management of the party’s finances and that his “failures in judgment and in the handling of party funds has damaged and embarrassed the party.”
Although Zapata, who declined to comment on the lawsuit because it’s pending litigation, is heading the attack on Jones, the former chairman believes District Attorney John Sarsfield is pulling the strings. But Jones offered no concrete proof and Sarsfield has not been a member of the committee since he resigned as chairman in 2000.
Jones believes Sarsfield is lashing out at those he perceives as political enemies and attempting to garner support as he faces a possible recall.
“I signed the original recall. I also wrote letters to the editor criticizing some of his decisions,” Jones said. “I supported John Sarsfield, I walked precincts for him. But he’s been a little disappointing.”
But Sarsfield, who was the chairman of the Republican Central Committee from 1996 to 2000, said he has nothing to do with any of the allegations against Jones or the lawsuit.
“I don’t know why he keeps saying these things because it’s not even a little bit close,” Sarsfield said. “Marvin is going to have to find another bogeyman because I know nothing about what he did or did not do. It’s got nothing to do with me.”
In the audit review committee’s report, it stated that Jones, who led the chapter for nearly two years but is now just a member, approved the installation of multiple telephone lines in the party’s headquarters during the 2004 presidential campaign that were unnecessary and left the committee with a negative net worth.
Jones admits to installing numerous phone lines, but said committee volunteers needed them to make nearly 5,000 phone calls while stumping for President Bush and other state and local Republican candidates.
He also defied the claim that when he left his post the committee was operating in the red. He said there was about $100 left on the books, but when he came into office, the committee only had $1,200 in the bank.
And while the lawsuit claims Jones approved using committee funds without authorization, Jones said the committee’s bylaws state he didn’t have to get it. The chairman has sole supervision, direction and control of the business and activities of the committee, according to the bylaws.
“So what’s her problem?” Jones said. “It’s a shame that Ms. Zapata and the central committee is expending so much effort to get me out instead of trying to help Gov. Schwarzenegger in his endeavors.”
Jones had not been served with a copy of the lawsuit Friday and said if the suit stays in small claims court he will not retain an attorney. However, if Zapata increases her claim and the suit is bumped into Superior Court, he said he will seek counsel.
However the situation plays out, even if criminal charges are filed against him, Jones refuses to resign as a member of the committee. But that’s not to say he’s comfortable about being dragged into the legal system.
“I am confident I’m not going to lose,” he said. “But I always worry about everything. I’m just a nervous Nellie-type person.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
