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Friday, June 16, 2006

Influence Peddling?

Maybe. Maybe not. But one of our readers sends over the following email blast from local Democratic activist and attorney, Ari Moss.

Our tipster told the Sister City, "Is he that clueless? Does he not know that smacks of influence peddling? He is literally selling "influence" for the $100 ticket price."

If any of you campaign ethics geeks out there who know the law backwards and forwards want to chime in, feel free.

The reader concludes, "The finish is even worse: '...soon to be influential people.' How self-serving is that? Laughable."

From: "Ari Moss"
To: "Ari Moss"
Subject: An Evening with State Board of Equalization Chairman John Chiang

Please come and join me.

If you have any questions about the event or the organization, I am more than happy to assist you. This is an excellent opportunity to meet a candidate for a very important state-wide office, and network with some influential and soon-to-be influential people.

Ari

An Evening with State Board of Equalization Chairman and Candidate for California State Controller John Chiang

Monday, June 26th

Please RSVP Here

Board of Equalization Chairman John Chiang

Greetings!

Things are really moving forward with Small Business Majority.

I hope that you can join us for this exciting event on Monday, June 26th in Los Angeles with Chairman of the State Board of Equalization John Chiang. Also, please let me know if you would like to be a host for this event. I’ll be in touch.

Best Regards,

Alex

11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I've been getting these emails continuously. I figured the guy must be running for something. :-|

June 16, 2006 8:36 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Isn't Ari one of Stewart Waldman's henchmen?

June 16, 2006 9:31 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Does Bud Ovrum know you're posting his picture?

June 16, 2006 3:16 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Here's the deal. The email in question would be a violation of federal law, had they been soliciting for a federal PAC. Similarly, under City of Los Angeles ethics laws, it would be a violation. Both for mentioning or alluding to paying a ticket price for "influence."

However, under State law, I don't think they violated any laws. And that PAC is a state PAC. Moss, et. al. dodged a bullet.

But they still should get a clue. Novices will never be "influential."

June 16, 2006 6:57 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

you are all missing the point. i would not be surprised if Ari or Becca Dotin sent the email themself to mayorsam to get some attention. they are succcchhhh publicity hounds.

June 16, 2006 7:03 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Ari wishes he was one of Stuart's henchmen!

June 16, 2006 7:04 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Its funny because these SFVYDs are a bunch of dimwit wannabes. They could not get elected to spots in the LACYD so they started their own goofball club.

June 17, 2006 2:02 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

SFVYD has been around for 13 years and was founded by Hertzberg staffers such as Stuart Waldman, Alex Padilla and Tony Cardenas.

I became President of SFVYD in 2001 WHILE serving on the LACYD Board, taking over from Darci Sears (who now works for Gene Mullins (D-19)) and Stuart Waldman. For 10 years, the club had 10 members and no budget.

In 4 years we have raised $40,000 and increased our membership to 150. Unlike LACYD, SFVYD did campaign fieldwork and took part in politics on a local level, as a grassroots organization should.

Most of our board members were not staff of elected officials or lobbysts. Charles Taylor was a tax attorney (he now works for John Chaing), Maria Grunwald Agazaryan was a college student, Brian Davis was a GLBT activist, David Phelps had just graduated from CSUN, David Koenig had just started working for Reiner. Alex DeOcampo was a college student at CSUN. Damian Carroll was still working in the entertainment industry when he joined in 2004.

While these people have all gone on to success in their careers, SFVYD is a more grassroots oriented organization and they did not work in politics nor did I at the time I joined.

LACYD has its strengths with its ties to city hall and a long rich history going back to Henry Waxman. SFVYD has its own strengths, but comparing them is comparing apples and oranges.

Ari Moss is not, to my knowledge, a member of SFVYD.

Please research your facts and get your history right.

Andrew Lachman
SFVYD President 2001-2004

June 18, 2006 2:59 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

WAIT A MINUTE...LACHMAN!

Are you saying that the years that Stuart was in charge of the club it had only 10 members and no budget, and it took you getting elected to turn the club around???

And Stuart Waldman now wants to be an Assemblyman???

Christ, I say we elect Lachman instead!

June 18, 2006 7:42 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

As flattering as that is, it was a happy hour club because that is what it needed to be at the time.

It took a great team to turn the club into what it is today. No one could do it alone.

Stuart (along with Padilla and Cardenas) was key in the success first RFK awards at the home of Eric Bauman in 2004.

June 18, 2006 8:23 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Yea, that's true Andrew, Stuart is always looking for free food and booze.

Congrats to you and your team

June 19, 2006 10:03 AM  

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