State Agency Finds No Irregularities With ‘No On Measure D’ Campaign

Despite charges coming from citizen letters, blogs and online commentary that the No On Measure D camp may not be running its campaign above board, the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission has found no irregularities to date.

“We do not have any enforcement actions related to this issue,” said FPPC spokesman Roman Porter.

The FPPC is the state agency that investigates alleged violations of the 1974 Political Reform Act; the agency also imposes penalties when appropriate.

Porter said the agency has received written correspondence regarding StopTheMoneyGrab.com, but to date no irregularities have been found.

StopTheMoneyGrab.com is the organization behind the No On Measure D campaign.

Along with the FPPC, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters confirms it has found no irregularities with the campaign.

“We don’t have anything here,” said Wayne Beckham, chief deputy with the Registrar. “If we did we would forward it to the FPPC for investigation.”

Measure D is the sole item on the June 7 ballot for Wildomar voters. It asks this question: “Shall Community Facilities District 2011-1 (Wildomar Parks) of the City of Wildomar be formed and authorized to levy a Special Tax at a maximum rate of $28 per benefit unit to provide park maintenance services?”

Proponents argue the measure will save Willdomar parks from closure; opponents argue Measure D imposes a “burdensome” Mello-Roos requirement on  Wildomar property owners

In a May 11 letter to StopTheMoneyGrab.com from Wildomar City Clerk Debbie Lee (see attached), a question was raised regarding the organization's status.

“The City Clerk’s Office has received citizen inquiries regarding signs, flyers, and a website regarding Measure D … I have contacted the FPPC to assist in determining whether or not Stop the Money Grab is a County General Purpose Committee, as defined by the regulations, or if the committee is primarily formed,” Lee wrote in the letter. “I would urge you to contact the FPPC and talk with them regarding the possibility that you may need to amend your filing.”

(Click here to read FPPC Regulation 18247.5, which defines General Purpose and Primarily Formed committees.)

According to Lee, StopTheMoneyGrab is not required to respond and as of May 24 there has been no word from the organization to the City regarding the May 11 letter.

Steve Beutz, a primary backer of the No On Measure D campaign, said via phone that he will not discuss the ballot initiative or issues surrounding it.

He declined comment and instead said, “Let the voters decide.”