The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission this week
assigned an investigator and an attorney to examine allegations of
corruption in San Benito County government, according to several
sources close to the matter who requested anonymity.
The FPPC investigates alleged infractions of the state law
– the Political Reform Act – governing political figures. And it
imposes financial penalties when necessary.
The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission this week assigned an investigator and an attorney to examine allegations of corruption in San Benito County government, according to several sources close to the matter who requested anonymity.
The FPPC investigates alleged infractions of the state law – the Political Reform Act – governing political figures. And it imposes financial penalties when necessary.
The commission possesses a copy of a recently released private investigation, which presents six cases of alleged corruption on the part of county Supervisor Richard Scagliotti, according to a source.
The investigation, conducted by a Salinas private investigator, was commissioned by a group of local residents. The anonymous group calls itself Los Valientes.
Scagliotti was unaware until Wednesday evening that the FPPC had become involved in the heated issue. He said he is not concerned about the likelihood of a further probe by the state agency.
“I don’t need a defense,” Scagliotti said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The investigation’s resultant report alleges several instances of profiteering, along with allegations that he and other supervisors violated the state’s open meetings law – the Brown Act – during the Growth Control Initiative’s drafting. It claims the entire Board of Supervisors held an illegal “serial meeting” through a succession of discussions with the authors.
Scagliotti has repeatedly denied all the allegations, calling them unfounded and slanderous. District Attorney John Sarsfield recently said none of the allegations warrant criminal prosecution.
Scagliotti has said he believes developers commissioned the investigation to taint his credibility along with the veracity of the Growth Control Initiative. The initiative, otherwise known as Measure G, is on the March ballot.
Michael Pekin, the Salinas lawyer representing Los Valientes, has acknowledged the group’s intentions to expose alleged corruption and invalidate the initiative.
Pekin, who is out of town until next week, could not be reached for comment on the FPPC issue before press time. Nor could county administrative officials, who have recently limited their responses on the issue to written press statements.
Other supervisors serving on the five-member board also had not heard about the FPPC’s involvement Wednesday.
“All I can say is – holy cow, it’s news to me,” Supervisor Bob Cruz said.
Supervisor Reb Monaco had no prior knowledge of the additional scrutiny.
“It’s in the legal system and I’ve always had faith in the legal system,” he said.
Supervisor Ruth Kesler declined comment, and Supervisor Pat Loe is out of town this week.
The FPPC regulates several categories of infractions according to the state’s Political Reform Act.
They include financial conflicts of interest, campaign financing, lobbyist registration, post-governmental employment, mass mailings at the public’s expense and gifts given to public officials.
It conducts investigations of both state and local issues and, if deemed appropriate, instigates regulatory proceedings. If the situation warrants it, the FPPC can also file felony charges.
Scagliotti announced before the investigation went public he would not run for re-election in March.
