OC Political

A right-of-center blog covering local, statewide, and national politics

OC Weekly Exposes Troy Edgar’s Campaign Finance Crimes

Posted by OC Insider on September 26, 2012

OC Weekly’s Scott Moxley has once again exposed potential crimes by an OC Politician.  For those you who are not aware of Moxley’s previous work, he is the same reporters that exposed disgraced Former Sheriff Mike Corona.  Moxley was also the reporter that brought the Mike Duvall sex scandal to light.

It looks like once again, Moxley has manged to get the scoop and expose yet another politician’s dirty laundry.

Excerpt From OC Weekly, By Scott Moxley (0/26/12):

Troy Edgar’s Missing Mailer Money

In January, for his now-defunct congressional campaign, Edgar produced and delivered an eight-page glossy mailer to 3,000 Southern California Republican power brokers. The objective was to win endorsements, raise contributions and frighten potential GOP opponents away from the race. As political literature goes, the piece wasn’t bad. It hailed his leadership skills, conservative policy stances and family values. To bolster credibility, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas declared on the front page of the brochure, “Supporting Troy Edgar for Congress was an easy decision.”

It might be a line the DA, who recently announced he’s seeking additional resources to prosecute corrupt public officials, will soon wish he hadn’t uttered because the brochure could be the centerpiece of two crimes. Let me explain.

Because of anti-public corruption concerns resulting from the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, federal campaign-finance laws require campaigns to publicly disclose major expenses. The rationale is that voters should know if a candidate is up to no good. According to records obtained by the Weekly, the power-broker brochure cost more than $5,668, but Edgar never complied with federal election rules to disclose the spending or reveal who paid for it.

Indeed, he disclosed 41 separate congressional-campaign disbursements but not this one—which also happened to be the committee’s largest expenditure.

Asked to explain, the candidate first said he is unfamiliar with that specific mailer because he has sent out “hundreds” of them. Later, he assured me the power-broker disbursement “absolutely shows up” on a disclosure report. When I told him it didn’t and asked him to resolve what happened, he replied he “printed it at home,” which is troubling because, as I write this column, I’m looking at a detailed invoice for the job from Sparta Graphics.

Read the Rest of the Article Here: Troy Edgar’s Missing Mailer Money

Posted in 47th Congressional District, 72nd Assembly District, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Surfside Colony Community Services District, Uncategorized, Westminster | Tagged: , , | 6 Comments »

Video From Spain Protest

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on September 26, 2012

I promise that we are not turning into Red County and will keep the overseas posts to a minimum, but as I mentioned in my earlier post here is the video I took from the protest yesterday.

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The protesters were back today as rumored around 6:00 PM and they are still outside along with the police helicopters circling above the neighborhood at almost 12:00 at night.

Interestingly I was having dinner at a cafe right next to the protests and considered live blogging the events but realized that it would get really boring talking about people constantly walking in a straight line.

Posted in International | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Huge Protest In Spain

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on September 26, 2012

I did not plan to do any blogging while on vacation but since I am currently living in an apartment that was surrounded by political protesters yesterday I felt compelled to do so. Forgive the short length of the post, but I want to get back to enjoying Spain and will let the pictures give you an idea of the area.

Yesterday afternoon protesters took to the streets to rally against budget cuts being made by Spanish Parliament. They started their gathering at the huge fountain near the botanical garden. Here is a picture of where it started:

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Here is a look at the neighborhood where I am staying which was flooded with protesters and helicopters late last night.

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Nearby this location is the Ministry of Sanitation & Political Science which I have a picture of below.

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You can even still see the reporters setup waiting for another protest to take place which is rumored to start some time this evening.

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I will follow up with details on the protest and Spain’s governmental regulations/austerity measures that led to this protest sometime next week after I get back to California. This is of course unless Chris Nguyen steals my thunder and does an article first.

I will also add some photos in a later post of pictures from the actual protest and possibly a video if I can get it to upload.

Posted in International | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Still Waiting For An Answer, Cynthia

Posted by OC Insider on September 25, 2012

Catch this exchange between Anaheim blogger Cynthia Ward and former RedCounty blogger Matt Cunningham, who has an issue with ballot-box policymaking like an initiative in Anaheim Ward supports. True to form, Ward turns it into a personality conflict and accuses everyone of having ulterior motives.

Speaking of ulterior, Cynthia is still staying mum on who is paying her legal fees on her failed attempt to have “Chavez” struck from Anaheim Council candidate Steve Chavez Lodge’s ballot name.  Strange silence from someone who describes her self this way:

“I am a truth-teller. It gets me in trouble. But if you ask me if a dress makes you look fat, I will tell so, and help select another, before you go on television and realize it for yourself. My real friends are expected to be truthful with me as well. A secret shared will be taken to my grave, but lie to me, and it will end up here…on these pages… especially if you are tasked with the stewardship of public resources.”

Ward, as a director of the OC Cemetery District, is a “steward of public resources.” She votes to approve or disapprove budgets, contracts, etc. Gifts are reportable. She still needs to clear  up this question mark hovering over her about whether she has violated TIN CUP.

Posted in Anaheim | Tagged: , , , | 14 Comments »

Tim Jemal for South OC Community College District Fundraiser & OC Tax endorsement

Posted by Thomas Gordon on September 25, 2012

Disgraced former OC Public Guardian John Williams who resigned not only as a community college trustee, but as OC Public Guardian is attempting to regain his seat on the South Orange County Community College District.

Chris Nguyen wrote a detailed post here

The one guy standing in his way is Tim Jemal, who is having a fundraiser this evening from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at Il Fornaio, 18051 Von Karman Ave in Irvine.

Mr. Jemal has also picked up the endorsement of Reed Royalty and the Orange County Taxpayers Association as noted in the press release attached below.

OCTaxPAC Endorses Tim Jemal for South Orange County Community College District Trustee
Lake Forest, Calif.-The Orange County Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee (OCTaxPAC) is proud to endorse candidate Tim Jemal for South Orange County Community College District.

“The Orange County Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee (OCTaxPAC) is proud to endorse Tim Jemal for Trustee of the South Orange County Community College District. We realize how important districts such as this are for the County and taxpayers.” said Reed Royalty, advisory member to OCTaxPAC. “We believe that Tim will be a great asset to the District and be committed to utilizing each and every tax dollar in the most cost efficient way feasible.”

Currently, Mr. Jemal is a small business owner in Orange County and has been active in the South Orange County community volunteering with the PTA, Saddleback Valley YMCA and conducting business mentoring.

“OCTax is a highly effective advocate on behalf of Orange County taxpayers. I am very pleased to have their support,” said Jemal. “As a fiscal conservative, I am committed to ensuring our precious tax dollars provide world-class education at Saddleback and Irvine Valley Colleges and the Advanced Technology and Education Park (ATEP).”

The Orange County Taxpayers Association (OCTax) is the taxpayers’ advocate on many public policy issues in Orange County. OCTax was co-founded in 1986 by Reed Royalty. Its mission is to ensure that taxes and tax-supported programs are fair, understandable, cost-effective, and good for the economy. OCTaxPAC is a separate organization that is sponsored by OCTax.

Take a peek at Tim’s website here and encourage your friends to vote for Tim.

Posted in South Orange County Community College District | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Hunt’s Hypocrisy: A Menagerie of Special Favors and the ‘Code of Silence’

Posted by Republican Willie Brown on September 25, 2012

The Things Hunt Hopes You Forgot

Orange County Elected Officials Should Take a Closer Look, Pull Their Support

(Orange County)- As Election Day draws closer, the voters of Laguna Hills will make an important decision regarding who will best represent them and successfully lead their city into the future.

With two open seats up for grabs, the City of Laguna Hills has quite the decision to make this November with five candidates vying for the positions.  There are four known Republicans, five total candidates.

One of those candidates is former Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bill Hunt.

For those who remember, Hunt was one of the candidates who ran for Sheriff against former Sheriff Mike Carona and current Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

Hunt enjoys playing the role of “victim” by leading people to believe he’s the “Andy Griffith” of Orange County who tried to stand up to Carona in the name of some higher moral imperative.

Unfortunately, for Bill Hunt the truth about his record and past are merely a continuation of the failures and gross missteps that left a black eye on our Sheriff’s Department and the Republican Party for years.

Bill Hunt’s cry was all about ending special treatment; something Bill knows a lot about considering it was his standard operating procedure.

The bottom line: Electing Bill Hunt to the Laguna Hills City Council will mean one thing – opening up all the scandals and disgraceful behavior Hunt was involved in from day one, which is exactly what Orange County doesn’t need.

The following are just a few occurrences that will re-surface:

  1. Bill Hunt gave special treatment to donors from his Sheriff’s campaign when they skirted the law and were caught by fellow deputies. All while he was still with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and campaigning against Mike Carona for allegedly doing the exact same thing.  Click here for the KCAL 9 News story regarding Hunt’s special treatment encounter with one of his donors, Robert Stevenson, who was pulled over in 2010 for a DUI and personally driven home by deputies at Hunt’s direction. It wasn’t until later deputies arrested Stevenson and took him to the main jail to be processed once the cat was out of the bag. Apparently this isn’t the first time Hunt has been involved in special treatment for friends. Hunt has previously ordered deputies to change their police reports promoting the ‘Code of Silence’ that gives law enforcement an unnecessary bad wrap.
  2. Bill Hunt sued the County of Orange and lost costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
  3. The Sheriff’s Department demoted Bill Hunt after the County conducted an independent/third party personnel assessment . This same report came out in a federal lawsuit involving Bill Hunt; we are obtaining the full report and will be posting it here in a follow up article.
  4. Bill Hunt is now a self-proclaimed artist of controversial illustrations on the Internet including inappropriate pictures of women, among others relating to violence and religion that some may find offensive at illustrationbyhunt.com – not exactly “elected official” material.

Whether it was ordering deputies to give Robert Stevenson special treatment or illustrating controversial and inappropriate images on the web, this is not the kind of character we need in our elected officials and those who will naturally become spokespersons for the Republican Party.

ATTENTION: Elected officials/leaders who may have chosen to endorse Hunt.

You need to take a serious look and reconsider your support.  Otherwise, you may find yourself plastered on his mail pieces wondering how you got tied in with his indescretions.

The citizens of Laguna Hills should be disgusted at his preferential treatment and his denial of any wrongdoing. During these tough times it is vital that we elect people with the character, fortitude, and good conscience to lead our governments and represent us both ethically and responsibly.

We’ve been down this road before.  Bill Hunt is wrong for our party and wrong for Laguna Hills.

Posted in Laguna Hills | Tagged: | 6 Comments »

Royce Mailer Hits Chen on $716 Billion cuts from Medicare

Posted by Allen Wilson on September 22, 2012

Today, the Royce for Congress campaign has hit the mailboxes throughout the 39th CD (Diamond Bar, Fullerton) on a devastating glossy black and white four piece attack towards Democratic candidate for Congress Jay Chen.

It opens up with these words:

“Jay Chen supports CUTTING $716 Billion from Medicare — to pay for the Federal Health Care Take Over”

The insert goes on to say:

“Jay Chen’s plan for Health Care?  Rob $716 Billion from Medicare, Tax Wheelchairs and Medical Devices, Bloat the federal bureaucracy with 159 new boards, agencies and programs to regulate doctors and patients”

“If you are like most Americans, you pay for Medicare with every paycheck you receive.  It’s an investment you made – and deserve to collect”

It appears the continuing campaign theme of “Medicare” by Congressional Republicans campaign to retain control of the House by hitting the Democrats hard on the issue of $716 Billion cuts from Medicare to pay for the “Affordability Care Act” a.k.a. “Obamacare”.

My colleague, Chris Emami, penned his article dated September 10, 2012 entitled “2012 General Election Predictions: 39th Congressional District” predicting that Rep. Ed Royce will win the seat for the Republicans.

Though, Rep. Ed Royce is taking no chances and with $2 Million plus in his campaign war chest could help deliver the GOTV efforts not just for himself, but for other Republicans in the area like Senator Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) and Assemblymembers Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills) and Chris Norby (R-Fullerton).

The mailer is effective and by all accounts the campaign charge of accusing the Democrats of cutting $716 Billion from Medicare must by an indicator that is working, because key Congressional Democrats are increasingly writing off retaking control of the House in 2012.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani Brings in Cash for California GOP in OC

Posted by Scott Carpenter on September 21, 2012

Pundits routinely write off California as a helplessly blue state, but the fact remains that there are still many vitally important races in the state. The decennial redistricting that took place last year created several new and very competitive districts throughout the state, and the GOP has a great shot at picking up new legislative seats that were previously gerrymandered exclusively to Democrats, and of course the Mayor’s race in San Diego remains a focus of many throughout the state. The need to rebuild an ailing party in California starts with one thing: Money.

Democrats have had an advantage in California for decades due to the massive amounts of money that government unions can extract from employee paychecks and is later funneled into their operation. The California Republican Party is now poised ready to go back on offense and reclaim some of the newly drawn legislative districts. To get these operations going CRP Vice Chairman Steve Baric recruited America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani to come raise funds for the party operation. Professional fundraiser Jenniffer Rodriguez and Baric put together an exciting event at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach last night that brought in over $100,000 for party operations. The event showed that donors and party faithful are serious and ready to turn the state back around one step at a time. Rudy brought that spark to life with him comments.

Giuliani of course ran for President in 2008 and declined to do so this cycle. He spoke highly of Governor Romney and of course of his disappointment in President Obama. In his blunt yet engaging New York style Rudy put Obama’s failures in plain terms, and highlighted the administration’s poor response to the recent terrorist attacks aimed at Americans in the Middle East. When asked about Governor Romney, Rudy’s advice was short and sweet: “Be yourself.”

With about a month and a half left to Election Day there is much work to be done by candidates, campaign staffers and volunteers. California Republicans remain focused on the priorities of bringing the party back on offense, and Rudy Giuliani’s encouragement flamed that spark a bit last night.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 6 Comments »

OC Register Supports “Yes on Measure FF” in Orange, But Screws Headline Up, Potentially Confusing Voters

Posted by Chris Nguyen on September 21, 2012

The OC Register editorial board supports “Yes on Measure FF” in the City of Orange but sent confusing messages on their position this week.

On Tuesday, the Register printed an “Orange Measure FF: No” editorial, but the entire article described the reasons to vote “Yes on Measure FF.”

On Wednesday, the Register reprinted the same editorial, but with the headline “Orange Measure FF: Yes” instead along with this note:

Editor’s note: Because of a reporting error, the position of the Register’s Editorial Board was misstated in the body and headline of an earlier version of this editorial.

(Their screwup was likely due to the confusing nature of referenda. The Orange City Council approved the property owner’s plan to build housing and a park on their own privately-owned land. Some neighbors wishing to preserve a now-defunct horse-riding facility launched a referendum to stop the land’s owner from changing the horse-riding facility into homes and a park for the general public. Usually, when signatures get a measure on to the ballot, the signatories want a “Yes” vote. However, when signatures get a referendum on the ballot, the signatories want a “No” vote.)

This amusing incident with the Register actually underlies a more serious concern with referenda: if people as informed as the OC Register screw up Yes vs. No, how many voters will select “Yes” when they mean “No” instead and how many will select “No” when they means “Yes” instead?

Just to be clear and definitive one last time: the OC Register says, “Yes on Measure FF.”

Posted in Orange | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

2012 General Election Predictions: 74th Assembly District

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on September 20, 2012

This race will be a lot more mild after the fight that we saw in June between Allan Mansoor and Leslie Daigle. Now we have a partisan fight between Allan Mansoor (R) and Robert Rush (D). The 74th Assembly District is a conservative South County seat:

Thank you to Meridian Pacific for the use of the map.

As you can see Republicans have a registration of 42.7%, Democrats 29.3%, and DTS 23.2% (remember DTS voters will lean conservative in this district). With that being said we almost $300,000 pumped into this race in expenditures on behalf of Leslie Daigle. These expenditures helped her jump all the way to last place.

The results from June can be viewed here:

Member of the State Assembly; District 74

  • Allan R. Mansoor, Republican ………. 33,319 votes 43.5%
  • Robert Rush, Democratic ………. 25,120 votes 32.8%
  • Leslie Daigle, Republican ………. 18,207 votes 23.8%

Mansoor fell under 50%, however, the reason for this is likely the hit pieces that the Daigle campaign did against him. My gut feeling is that the majority of people who voted for Daigle will vote for Mansoor in November. The reason for this assertion is because partisan Republicans were split between Daigle and Mansoor. These Republicans will only have one candidate to vote for from their party in November.

Financially Robert Rush is in the same ballpark as Mansoor. Rush may have over $55,000 after the primary and Mansoor has just over $50,000/ Rush is going to need a lot more money to make up the deficit he is already facing after June.

Looking at all the factors at play in this district I believe that the winner will be:

 

Allan Mansoor

 

Posted in 74th Assembly District | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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