A small state agency just might rock the political scene of San
Benito County. And in a sense, telling by community reaction, the
Fair Political Practices Commission’s probing of alleged misconduct
in county government already has.
The agency that regulates alleged infractions by state and local
political figures recently assigned an investigator to further
examine allegations of corruption by Supervisor Richard Scagliotti,
according to several sources close to the matter.
A small state agency just might rock the political scene of San Benito County. And in a sense, telling by community reaction, the Fair Political Practices Commission’s probing of alleged misconduct in county government already has.
The agency that regulates alleged infractions by state and local political figures recently assigned an investigator to further examine allegations of corruption by Supervisor Richard Scagliotti, according to several sources close to the matter.
The state’s delving stems from a private investigation commissioned by a group of residents calling themselves “Los Valientes.” The FPPC, according to a source linked to the commission, received a hand-delivered copy of the lengthy investigative report Oct. 6; the agency took less than two weeks before taking the next procedural step of assigning the investigator and an attorney.
“We neither confirm nor deny existence of investigations,” said a spokesperson with the FPPC on Thursday.
The FPPC maintains that policy to “protect the integrity of an investigation, including the confidentiality of complainants, witnesses and individuals under investigation,” according to agency policy documents.
On Thursday, local elected officials expressed surprise, and distress, in their reaction to the FPPC’s concerns in San Benito County.
Hollister City Councilman Robert Scattini, a longtime friend of Scagliotti’s, said the latest controversy adds to an array of problems already tainting local government.
“If anything’s going on, they’ll discover it,” said Scattini, with 43 years of law enforcement experience. He is currently the county marshal, which is also an elected position.
If the FPPC does discover one or more infractions through an investigation, several outcomes may occur. The FPPC may seek a settlement agreement with the violator agreeing to pay a fine. The FPPC may seek civil action in an administrative court setting. Or the case may be closed because of lacking evidence.
Fines from the commission can reach a maximum of $5,000 for each infraction, and civil suits can result in higher financial penalties, according to Sigrid Bathen, media director for the FPPC.
The five-member commission, members of which are appointed by state officials, meets once a month. They enforce issues that include financial conflicts of interest and campaign financing. The FPPC does not take action related to the open meetings law – the Brown Act, Bathen said.
The commission’s investigations do not become public information until there is enforcement action taken.
Some local officials are still stirring over the root of the state’s involvement – the Los Valientes report. The result of a five-month investigation alleges six cases of corruption by Scagliotti, including profiteering on land deals. Scagliotti is also a local developer.
“Have we done something wrong? Has Richard done something wrong? Let these hooded people come up with some facts,” said Supervisor Bob Cruz, referring to the report alleging the Board held an illegal serial meeting during the drafting of the Growth Control Initiative.
Cruz does not believe the Scagliotti probe will have an effect on the future of politics in the county.
“If you have a guilty conscious, it’s going to affect you. If you don’t have a guilty conscious, it shouldn’t affect you,” he said.
Hollister Councilman Tony LoBue, however, said he does think the issue could change how the public views elected officials.
“It just opens our eyes that we need to be very cautious in what we do, what we say and how we react to things,” LoBue said.
Councilman Tony Bruscia, like Scattini, said he thinks the situation reflects a broader community-wide dissension.
“Our community has gotten very hostile,” Bruscia said. “It’s very popular for people to bash each other, and I think that’s unfortunate.
“The truth, hopefully, at least, will come out,” he said.
