An Update on the still litigous Mike Feuer/John Shallman "Matching Fundgate" Lawsuit

** Opps!! We almost forgot about this byproduct of the nasty City Attorney Race from two years ago---Scott Johnson. 

LOS ANGELES CITY ATTORNEY MIKE FEUER TRYING TO SWEEP HIS SERIOUS CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS UNDER THE RUG

The California Court of Appeals has scheduled oral argument in the matter Laura Lake v. Mike Feuer and John Shallman (appeals court case # B251369) for January 29, 2015.

Lake, a community activist from Westwood, sued Feuer and his campaign consultant John Shallman in March 2013, under the private Attorney General Act, for numerous State and Local campaign finance violations including among other charges, defrauding the taxpayers of Los Angeles out of $350,000 which Feuer received as matching funds.    

This case follows a long line of public corruption cases that have come to light in the last few years for various State and Local officials including John Noguez, Ron Calderon, Richard Alarcon, Leeland Yee, Rodrick Wright, and elected officials with the City of Bell.

BACKGROUND FACTS

In May 2013, the trial court GRANTED Feuer and Shallman’s ANTI-SLAPP motion on the basis that “Campaign finance violations are protected by the First Amendment.“ This ruling essentially dismissed the case.

Lake believes the trial court ruled incorrectly.  In September 2013 she filed an appeal.  Her appeal is based on the holdings of many prior appellate court opinions including, City of Long Beach v. California Citizens for Neighborhood Empowerment (2003) 111 Cal. App 4^th 302, 309, which holds, “"[I]t is clear this result is not what the Legislature intended to achieve in passing the anti-SLAPP statute, and respondents cannot use section 425.16 as a shield behind which to hide from otherwise valid local election regulations."

 

In the Long Beach case, the trial court granted an ANTI–SLAPP motion, and the appellate court reversed.

 

FEUER’S QUID PRO QUO

More troubling is that the Feuer Legal Defense Fund received $1,000 from attorney Gregory W. Smith and another $1,000 from his wife Yuma Smith on June 28, 2013. 

On June 4, 2014, Feuer, in his role as Los Angeles City Attorney, recommended the City of Los Angeles pay attorney Gregory W. Smith $1,471,584.70 to settle the case Peter J. Bakotich, et al v. City of Los Angeles, (Los Angeles Superior Court case # BC442344).

The State number for the Feuer Legal Defense Fund is 1356553. Its filings can be found through the Los Angeles City Ethics commission web site.

SHALLMAN

 

John Shallman is a prominent political campaign consultant. In addition to Feuer, he was the chief strategist for Wendy Greuel, Kevin de Leon, Janice Hahn, Tom Torlakson, and Bob Hertzberg.

Shallman was also a longtime colleague of convicted campaign fundraiser Kindee Durkee, who is currently serving an 8 year prison sentence in a Federal Penitentiary for embezzling from her numerous campaign clients. Diane Feinstein claimed Durkee took $5 million dollars from her and sued her for those funds.  Shallman claimed Durkee took $1 million dollars from him and yet he never sued her for those funds. Shallman is currently also a defendant in a lawsuit filed by victims of Durkee.

Latest Survey USA Mayoral Poll has Garcetti and Greuel tied at 46%. Nuch is charging on Feuer. Zine leads big

The latest Survey USA, ABC 7 Poll bids well for the Election Day momentum of Mayoral Candidate Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and City Attorney Candidate Dennis Zine,

 On the eve of the ABC 7 televised debate this evening at Cal State University LA, ABC's polling partner of choice Survey USA, has both Eric Garcetti and Wendy "The SEIU, PPL, UFLAC, Mayor Villar, DWP and Boss D'Arcy's Greuel", tied at 46%. For Garcetti, this is a three point pickup from the last poll two weeks ago. Some excerpts from the latest poll ............ 

46% Garcetti, 46% Greuel, SurveyUSA finds in its latest KABC-TV pre-election tracking poll on the race for Mayor of Los Angeles. The sea-saw contest had Garcetti leading by 9 points 1 month ago, and Greuel leading by 3 points 2 weeks ago. But today, 05/10/13, the candidates are exactly even, with 8% of likely voters still undecided.Greuel and Garcetti are within 2 points of each other in every age group. Men tip slightly to Garcetti. Women tip slightly to Greuel. Whites and Latinos slightly favor Garcetti. African Americans by 2:1, and Asian Americans ever-so-slightly, favor Greuel. Garcetti leads among Republicans. Greuel leads among Democrats and Independents. Wealthier and well-educated voters favor Garcetti. Less affluent and less educated voters favor Greuel.

Thought to ponder is despite $3 Million plus in spending since March 7, Greuel can do better than even in recent polls.

 The big story in the latest Survey USA Poll, is the continuing upward charge by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich as his quest for political redemption gains high-octane momentum. From as high as 18% behind, the latest poll has Nuch trailing 46-40%. This excerpt clearly shows Nuch's growing momentum.

In the contest for City Attorney, incumbent Carmen Trutanich appears to have made inroads against challenger Mike Feuer. Feuer had led by 18 points in March, then led by 12, then led by 10, and today leads by just 6 points. Trutanich is making up ground among conservatives and among younger voters (..... and don't count out Latino support for Nuch). 

Read more »

"Tour de Feuer": Lying, Cheating and Stealing his way to become City Attorney?

As the cover to the best hit piece of the 2013 Campaign Season states ...... "Some men will LIE, CHEAT and STEAL to finish the race first" and .......... 

Is that the alleged "Lauryn Hill of Political Consultants" John Shallman running interference against the law-abiding, other candidates for City Attorney?

Move over "Lapdog Weiss" for the "Lance Armstrong Feuer" of the 2013 City Attorney Campaign. The reaction to the Feuer/ Shallman Hit Piece can be measure via these comments from noted Trutanich Critic Joseph Mailander.

Most notably, it caught my wife's attention first, rather than mine--and she's undoubtedly a better judge of impact than I am.  Abundantly liberal but in her own trade far removed from politics, she's not really connected to any of these races, and when she read it said, "No way I'm voting for Mike Feuer," she said, and even seemed disappointed to learn that I still might. Mission accomplished! The yellow cover is perfect (view after the jump), and the inclusion of a headshot of John Shallman, Nuch's old campaign manager (see below right) who is now also running the Greuel for Mayor campaign, as one of the other top racers in this Tour de Sewer is a lovely touch.  Someone sure knows how to please his client! Now, the thing about the text is--ouch--it's not very much of an elaboration.  Of the CHEATS STEALS LIES trifecta, I'd say the one that answers to reality least is STEALS--but the other two are fairly fair game. 

Of course, we must flashback to the 2009 classic Lapdog Weiss Piece when Shallman was not on the receiving end of the hit.

This piece still resonates four years later.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

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TGIF Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine

The "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street", doubles down on its endorsement of West LA Political Soul Mate Mike Feuer for City Attorney.

"Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street"

If anyone thought that this would be the day the (West) LA Times would turn on one of its own, that being a West LA Liberal Democratic Politico, then the awaited "Koch Brothers Times Era" has not dawned on Ciudad de Los Angeles ......, yet. 

Lets today's reaffirmation of "agenda editorials" via the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street's" endorsement of AB 109 Co-Sponsor Mike Feuer for City Attorney, remind you that the former "fishwrap of record", still plays a vital role as the cities media outlet for the insider elites.

Despite mounting evidence of troubling ethical issues from the Mike Feuer for City Attorney Campaign, the Old Gray Collectivist Hag Editorial Board prioritizes political regionalism over municipal reality, in an endorsement not seen since its shilling for fellow Westside elite cocktail socialite Chris Essel.

As the Old Gray Collectivist Hag Opinion Scribes scolds the Trutanich Campaign for extracting headlines and phrases from recent stories and an editorial, objective civic observers should note that the spread of regional political myopia, is at an acute level, when not one mention of former Assemblyman Feuer's co-sponsorship of the AB-109 budget-busting, prison realignment debacle, is made in its reaffirming editorial. 

Maybe we can extrapolate from today's editorial musing, that most members of the Editorial Board have been more worry about "gun-rights and anti-immigrant zealots", when in reality, their focus should be place on fail Sacramento politicos who have dumped thousands of ready made felons back on the streets of neighborhoods beyond their elite neighborhoods viewpoints. But lets give the Trutanich Campaign credit for showcasing a former "fishwrap of record's" agenda hypocrisy. 

 In the LA Times own words , the Mike Feuer Campaign is .................

The truth must never get in the way of a friendly endorsement at the LA Times.

Your thoughts ...............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Nuch picking up Bloggin Momentum from Unexpected Sources

As the Kevin James Endorsement gives a big boost to the re-election chances of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, unexpected momentum is rising from a formerly hostile local blogger's sphere.

 City Attorney Carmen Trutanich shakes hands with Third Place Mayoral Candidate Kevin James.

** Blogger's notes: Every once in a while, its nice to have laptop and cellphone camera at the ready, for little bloggin field trip. Yesterday's scheduling was perfect for a morning stop-by at the South Steps of City Hall, to partake in Kevin James Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for a second term. Trutanich was jovial and at ease during the presser (maybe the settlement of his lawsuit with John Shallman, stemming from his failed District Attorney Campaign, played a role?). For the record, Trutanich would not personally comment on the specifics of the settlement, citing a confidentiality agreement between the parties. Regarding the James Endorsement, the former Federal Prosecutor cited Trutanich past trial lawyer experience and chided challenger Mike Feuer for being a co-sponsor of the AB-109 Prison Realignment Scandal. Our notes and and other related thoughts continue below. 

As noted above, James was critical of Mike Feuer's co sponsorship of AB 109. James cited his computer search that turned up an increased number of AB 109 related crimes within California. LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus reminded Trutanich that he was a early supporter of AB 109, to which Trutanich replied that his job was to "make lemonade out of a lemon". The subject of AB 109 was also the basis for A question directed  at Trutanich by this blogger, that cited a recent comment by LA Dragnet Blogger and LA County Deputy District Attorney David Berger, which he stated the reason for Trutanich's support of AB 109, was predicated in Trutanich's desire to get California Governor Jerry Brown's support for his losing District Attorney Campaign. Trutanich responded that "Berger is a cyber stalker" and his relationship with Governor Brown predated AB 109.

 

 Trutanich and James remarks did not go unnoticed by the Feuer Campaign. At one point, an observer who was supposedly linked to Feuer's Consultant John Shallman, broached loudly on the tired subject of Trutanich's pledge to donate $100,000 dollars to LA Best, which Trutanich deflected with a "have a good day" comment and a matching pledge request of the "walk by shill". But what should concern the Feuer Campaign is a growing momentum in the local blogger's sphere, against his ethically-challenged antics. From Joseph Mailander today .............

Hey, don't faint.  But here's an excellent summary of a City Attorney debate by Paul Hatfield that may cause you to take a second peek at Carmen Trutanich.

While we have yet to see a LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus report on last night's City Attorney Debate, the Feuer Campaign (and Shallman) may want to take pause, From debate observer and blogger Paul Hatfield.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            .

The only thing missing in tonight’s City Attorney debate in Valley Village was one of the candidates shouting, “You can’t handle the truth!”

The heat did match the final courtroom scene between Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise on two of the subjects.

The first was Feuer’s controversial contract with his campaign manager John Shallman.

Feuer claims the Ethics Commission told him his contract passed muster. Trutanich flashed a document purporting that the Commission has no record of Feuer’s inquiry. Feuer countered that the Commission was not allowed to comment on his inquiry. Trutanich fired back saying if the discussion was confidential, it violated the Brown Act, which requires public transparency. He went on to chide Feuer about relying on an oral statement to support such a critical matter, implying it was sloppy practice.

I spoke briefly with Trutanich after the debate concerning the related court case filed against Feuer by an activist. He said the worst that could happen to Feuer would be the removal of his name from the ballot.

 Thus, with Mailander and Hatfield opining on the ethical issues pertaining to Mike Feuer, the time was also right to question Trutanich on the root reason for the breach between himself and former employee, turned LA Dragnet Blogger David Berger (who's supported candidate Greg Smith endorsed Feuer yesterday). Trutanich cited city confidential personal codes for not commenting directly on Berger's departure from the City Attorney Office. But as former uber critical bloggers of Trutanich now take a second look, maybe Berger will be transparent on the "root reason" for his current bloggin vitriol directed at his former boss and why he ended up back at the District Attorney's office?

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Happy Tax (Levy) Day to "Private Citizen/ Campaign Consultant (and tax dodge?)" John Shallman

Happy Tax Deadline Day to All as we ponder whether the Campaigns of Mike Feuer and to a lesser extent, Wendy "The Embraced Villar Greuel", are accessories to crafting consulting contracts with "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman, that enable him to dodge any outstanding tax issues (for now)?

What did the LA Times say about Shallman's secret consulting contract with Mike Feuer?

First, there are the troubling implications of the unusual financial relationship that Feuer had with his political consultant, John Shallman. Feuer and Shallman agreed that rather than pay Shallman his full fee as the race unfolded, Feuer would give him a sizable bonus at the end of the race, provided that Feuer won. There’s nothing inherently wrong with an incentive bonus, but in this case, it allowed Feuer to avoid an important aspect of Los Angeles’ campaign finance scheme: To receive matching funds (at taxpayer expense), candidates for city attorney have to agree, in writing, not to exceed a spending limit; in the first round of the city attorney race, that limit was $1.259 million. Feuer spent $1.212 million, so if he had been paying Shallman, he almost certainly would not have been eligible for the matching funds, the not-trivial sum of $300,000. It’s possible that Feuer had no idea that his arrangement with Shallman would have this effect, but it’s fishy enough to be worthy of an investigation, as well as enactment of further rules to prevent a recurrence of the situation. **  Especially, considering when you add in Shallman's past and current tax issues ...........  

 A Copy of "Notice of Tax Levy" against John and Lani Shallman, sent to a previous campaign.

"Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman Defense Attorney Andrew Cowan.

Maybe Shallman's Barrister Cowan can enlighten us whether the root reason for secretive consulting contract understanding between his client and City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer, was predicated on the candidate being an willing accessory to helping Shallman dodge pending tax issues (for now), while reaping a windfall ($300,000+) of public financing for his campaign? Just a thought (in question form) and we welcome a response from both Shallman and Feuer.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

A John Shallman/ Mike Feuer Ethical Stonewalling Production!

City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman, holding campaign ethics hostage by not disclosing Consulting Contract.

Hi John! Would Lani disclose her Consulting Contracts to the LA Times upon request?

Did Mike and John get Pro Bono legal advise on their Consulting Contract from Candidate Feuer's former Bet Tzedek associates.

** Blogger's note: When this blogger has been questioned about the potential outcome of the Mayoral and City Attorney races, my response is "watch the actions of the lead consultant John Shallman". The recent actions of the "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" with the recent Villar Greuel Campaign Shakeup and what is becoming "Contractgate", respectively, is bound to lend further credence to the notion that Shallman will decide the political fate of his clients via pending action. From the Trutanich Campaign, we bring you this statement on "Contractgate"---Scott Johnson.          

Termed-out assemblyman Mike Feuer is now stonewalling the LA Times as he desperately tries to hide evidence of his ethics foul-play from the Times’ readers and from voters.

The Times reported today that Feuer is now refusing to provide the newspaper with a copy of the controversial contract he had with City Hall insider, John Shallman.

“That contract is at the heart of the Feuer ethics scandal,” said Rick Taylor, chief strategist for the campaign of City Atty. Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich. “It’s the smoking gun. Of course, he’d hide that.”

“Don’t voters deserve a city attorney who follows the law instead of breaks the law?” said Taylor.

The Times has called Feuer’s contract “troubling,” “fishy” and “worthy of an investigation” as the newspaper’s reporters have dug up more and more unsettling facts about Feuer-gate.

According to a lawsuit filed by community leaders, Feuer tried to steal the March 5 election by illegally obtaining ½ million dollars in campaign funds. Those illegal funds included $300,000 that Feuer obtained by defrauding the city. “Simply put, the Feuer campaign cheated,” the lawsuit said.

“Feuer lied to the city about the true cost of his campaign and, by doing so, he got the $300,000,” said Taylor. The true cost of Feuer’s campaign should haveincluded the cost of the services of his political consultant. Those costs had to be at least $175,000, possibly as much as $250,000. But his contract with his consultant allowed him to hide those costs and trick the Ethics Commission into giving him $300,000 in tax dollars.

Under city ethics law, candidates can accept tax dollars to fund their campaigns but only if they promise to keep their overall campaign spending below a certain cap – in the city attorney’s primary election, that cap was $1.2 million. By hiding the costs of his consultant, Feuer exceeded the spending cap by several hundred thousand dollars and broke his promise to the city Ethics Commission.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

Kevin James endorses Eric Garcetti for Mayor.

Kevin James makes the right choice in endorsing Eric Garcetti over Wendy "The Villar Greuel".

Happy Tuesday to everyone as we return from a blessed Easter and Blue Heaven Opening Day Getaway.

Before departing last Friday, we received an email from third place mayoral candidate Kevin James, seeking advise on his then pending choice for endorsement in the 2013 Mayoral Runoff. 

Simple political logic would dictate that you not endorse the main target of your campaign, the Villar Greuel and that is what exactly Kevin James did today by supporting Eric Garcetti.                                                   

With the endorsement of James, the Garcetti Campaign has garnered the support of all the three major candidates who did not make the runoff (Emanuel Pleitez and Jan Perry). Their vote total of nearly 38%, combine with Garcetti's 32%, gives the out-going CD 13 City Councilman a super majority base of voters that can help him in May.

Yet, its up to Garcetti to close the deal and there is plenty time for the Villar Greuel Camp to create campaign mischief, something that "Private Citizen/ Villar Greuel Campaign Consultant" John Shallman, knows quite well to orchestrate. 

** Here is a political math reality question for City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and his "Private Citizen/Campaign Consultant John Shallman, how can Shallman charge the likes of Gil Cedillo and Mike Bonin $200,000 + for their respective campaigns in 1/15 of the area as compare to a city-wide campaign?

Maybe this had to do with Shallman allegedly underbilling the Feuer Campaign, in seeking more public matching funds?

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14                                                                     

The Red Spot Voter Guide

Get out the Vote! The Red Spot Voter Guide.

Los Angeles needs a true reformist Mayor in Kevin James.

** Blogger's note: A sincere good Election Day morning to all, with one simple request, Vote. Not since the post 1992 Riots Mayoral Elections has a mayoral contest merited Angelinos, taking time away from their respective insular activities and engaging in their civic duty. The City of Los Angeles is at a breaking point, if the Mayor Antonio Villar Political Machine succeeds in getting its third term incarnation City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" elected, that breaking point will come sooner than later. The best hope in facing down the fiscal and ethical crisis at 200 N. Spring Street is Kevin James. Please, in the spirit of returning Los Angeles to greatness, vote for James today. Also in your respective areas on the ballot, give your considerations to the candidates listed below---Scott Johnson.

City Attorney: Carmen Trutanich, link to previous endorsement post.

City Controller: Jeff Bornstein, we don't need a "Valley Zine" to replace a "Valley Villar Greuel", in uncovering true "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" at City Hall. 

Council District 1: Gil Cedillo, channeling a former "No Ho Valley White Guy Blogger", who endorsed a Sacramento politico due to superior constituent services. Cedillo will do the same for CD 1..

Council District 3: Anybody but "Two Face Bob". 

Council District 5: Mark Herd, another four years of Mr. Potato Head will sprout more waste and Pot Shops.

Council District 7: David Barron, we are sure that David Barron never had a property owner ghost write an inspection report.

Council District 9: David Roberts, link here to our previous endorsement post.

Council District 11: Tina Hess, concur with the former No Ho Valley White Guy on this endorsement.

Council District 13: Emile Mack, link here to our previous endorsement post.

Council District 15: Joe Buscaino, the "Average Joe" is becoming "Another Politico", as he takes public matching funds, to defeat a soon to be indicted, no name challenger.

LAUSD District Two: Anamarie Montanez, she is the "anti-Monica" (a good thing).

LAUSD District Four: Kate Anderson, Steve Zimmer displayed weak leadership in voting to renew the Charter for Academia Semillas del Pueblo.

LAUSD District Six: Anyone but 2012 Redistricting Commission Enabler Antonio Sanchez.

LACCD District Two: John Burke

LACCD District Four: Jezef Essavi, ** Two Time LA Times Endorsed Choice (with no apologies to the "Big O").

LACCD District Six: Tom Oliver

Lastly, stand up to the City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson and "Vote No on Measure A (and B).

This diminutive dictator cannot be trusted with more of your taxes.

Your thoughts and vote count!!

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Endorsement of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich for Reelection

Scott Johnson strongly endorses Carmen Trutanich for reelection as City Attorney.

Nuch celebrates another bloggin endorsement (** link here to read Ron Kaye's endorsement of Nuch).

Memo to Rick Taylor and John Schwada, this endorsement for the reelection of City Attorney  Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich, is dedicated to both of you for your ceaseless efforts in rehabilitating a politico (with great upward potential) in need of image repair.

It was not long ago that this blogger’s name was being read into the record at City Hall as one of the corps of local bloggin political observers, who’s critical missives on the fallings of City Attorney Trutanich, along with observations regarding the multiple campaign follies (“the pledge”, pay per you tube views) of his quest to become District Attorney, led to Nuch's ballot box thumping in November.

Soon after over lunch with a local political observer, we broached upon if the needed political image repair of Trutanich, could bear fruits in time for the March Elections. Thanks to the work of Political Consultant Rick Taylor and Communications Director  John Schwada, the political rehabilitation of Carmen Tritanich is moving forward and upward.

Unlike a couple of very bloggin vocal critics of Nuch, my reservations regarding the past actions of the first-term City Attorney, have been muted in comparison, but no less probing. As Nuch sought to connect more with the political machine (noted via his endorsement by the LA County Federation of Labor in his race for D.A.), it was not hard to wonder, if his outreach to the machine, would cancel out the grass-roots support which elevated him into office.

The infamous “Pledge”, crafted by John Shallman, was a bountiful, bloggin source of scorn and ridicule. Yet we forget that another local politico formerly named Tony Villar, went back on his pledge to complete one full term as the CD 14 City Councilperson and went on to become the poster child for the agenda journalism era known as the “LA ANTONIO TIMES” (plus, he was elected mayor).

The written vitriol aimed at Trutanich, fail to note that his staff was decimated by targeted budget cuts via Mayor Antonio Villar, with support of current challenger Mike Feuer. Under budgetary assault by Mayor Villar (who would never forget that Trutanich beat his friend Jack Weiss), Trutanich, in a masterstroke, create a “Reserve Attorney Corps”, that help bring in young attorneys, who provided free services, in return for the experience in working within the City Attorney Office.

We need to also point out as crime was dropping city-wide, due in part to the combine work of a nearly 10,000 LAPD force and reduce number of City Attorney prosecutors (cut by 50 attorneys by Mayor Villar and supported by Mike Feuer), then Assemblyman Mike Feuer and his fellow Sacramento Democratic friends, were releasing thousands of so-called “Non Revocable Parolees, Low Level, Non-Violent Offenders”, on to the streets as part of the AB 109 Prison Reform Debacle.

One of those ex prisoners that then Assemblyman Feuer supported in releasing, was responsible for the ambush murder of LA County Sheriff Deputy Juan Abel Escalante, outside his Cypress Park home. In addition, Feuer supports AB 2263 , which would allow felons to white-wash their past criminal records, furthering eroding public safety and stressing further the workload, of a reduce group of City Attorney Prosecutors.

The late LA County Sheriff Deputy Juan Abel Escalante.

The choice is clear in the interest of safeguarding the integrity of public safety and the City of Los Angeles, you can support Noel Weiss (friend of Janice), Greig Smith (made his millions off suing the City of LA) and ethically-challenged (Bet Tzedekgate) and soft on crime (AB 109, AB 2263), Mike Feuer.

…… or you can give a second term to a humbled outsider, who has shone that, despite past political fallings, has administrated masterfully a City Attorney Office under political attack by a political machine, that holds contempt for his accomplishments.

Thus, please give your support to Carmen Trutanich for a second term as City Attorney.

Your thoughts ……………
Scott Johnson in CD 14    

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Is the LA Times sitting on "Feuer-Shallman Ethics Violation Story"?

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we question whether the LA Times is sitting on a story of alleged Ethics Violations involving City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and Campaign Consultant John Shallman.

Has the "mythical wall of separation" between Editorial and News, crumbled again in regards to reporting on LA Times Endorsed City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer? 

Mayor Sam has learned from a very reliable source of a possible LA Times story involving alleged Ethics Violations involving City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer and his controversial Campaign Consultant John Shallman.

It is alleged that Shallman has donated $150,000 - 200,000 dollars in campaign-related work to the Feuer Campaign. This would be a major violation of Ethics rules which set the maximum contribution/ gift at $1,300.

Ethics records show that John and Lani Shallman, along with Daniel Shallman, have contributed the maximum amount each to the Feuer Campaign.

12/31/12	Daniel Shallman   (Attorney, O'Melveny & Meyers LLP) Los Angeles, CA 90020	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$1,300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
12/31/12	John D. Shallman   (Consultant, Shallman Communications) Encino, CA 91436	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$1,300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
12/31/12	Lani M. Barrameda Shallman   (Owner, West Coat Public Affairs) Encino, CA 91436	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$1,300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

Further review of current Ethics Commission information show that Shallman, has only billed the Feuer Campaign for the following.

10/22/12	Shallman Communications   Encino, CA 91436	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	E - Payment  (WEB - Computer) Desc: Web Design & Development  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]	$5,183.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
01/16/13	Shallman Communications   Encino, CA 91436	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	E - Payment  (LIT - campaign communications)  [Period: 01/01/13 to 01/19/13]	$873.87 [Election: 03/05/13]
02/13/13	Shallman Communications   Encino, CA 91436	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	E - Payment  (LIT - campaign communications) Desc: Graphic Design  [Period: 01/20/13 to 02/16/13]	$1,814.56 [Election: 03/05/13]

To say the lease, the above billings are at the bottom of the Mariana Trench level of normal Shallman Campaign expenditures. Thus, its fair to question whether Shallman is being paid through a third party listed on the campaign expenditures report (maybe for tax reasons?) and the Times, in the public interest, should non-embargo the alleged story from behind the real wall of agenda journalism.

Your thoughts ...............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Beware!: Its Bogus Republican Slate Mailer Time!

"Private Citizen/ The Villar Greuel and Bet Tzedek Feuer Campaign Consultant" John Shallman's attempt to sway supposed "Low Information, Republican Voters".

How much campaign money can I spent on bogus slate mailers? Well ............ 

10/01/12*

California Voter Guide   Torrance, CA 90501

Wendy Greuel  Mayor 1337185 - Wendy Greuel for Mayor 2013

E - Payment  Desc: Slate Mailer  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]

$11,731.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

10/18/12

California Voter Guide   Torrance, CA 90501

Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013

E - Payment  (LIT - campaign communications) Desc: Slate Mailer  [Period: 10/01/12 to 12/31/12]

$11,731.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

 Lets count the total of actual "republicans" on this bogus slate mailer (one).

"The Villar Greuel", "Bet Tzedek Feuer" and "Insider Galperin" are the republican choices? Naught!! Until the next slate mailer .............

Your thoughts ...............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Wednesday

Another old "Cut and Paste Campaign Proposal" by the Villar Greuel for Mayor Campaign?

Was it right for the Villar Greuel Campaign to resurrect a Huggy Bob Hertzberg 2005 Mayoral Campaign leftover proposal?

Hmm, we wonder if "Private Citizen/ The Villar Greuel Campaign Consultant John Shallman would disclose the going rate for cut and pasting past campaign proposal?

As the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" reports on the latest "Oh Plez Moment" from the Villar Greuel Campaign regarding its proposal to expand LAPD by 2,000 officers. The Jan Perry Campaign released this statement, taking to task the Villar Greuel Campaign's proclivities to "cut and paste" past campaign proposals as fresh ideas.

Statement: Councilwoman Jan Perry’s Response To Controller Greuel’s Public

Safety Plan

This plan is just a cut and paste job of a proposal put out by Bob Hertzberg’s failedmayoral campaign of 2005. The truth is that we already spend 70 percent of the citybudget on police and fire and future, will most likely dedicate more than 25 percent offuture revenue to public safety.The greatest threat to the future of public safety spending in Los Angeles is our city'sstructural budget deficit, which is driven by the city’s out of control pension system thatWendy has consistently supported. In fact, she has actually opposed any reforms to thepension system.I think Wendy's plan is more of a reflection of her failing campaign, and what shepromised to police and fire unions behind closed doors in exchange for their endorsementof her campaign.For reference, link to Hertzberg Wikipedia page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hertzberg#2005_Campaign_for_Mayor  

** The candidates for City Attorney, turned a KPCC "radio forum" into a testy exchange of attacks and counterattacks yesterday. Meanwhile, we hear that officials of Bet Tzedek were quite taken aback by our exclusive coverage of their questionable contributions to the Mike Feuer Campaign..

** Latino Mayoral Candidate Emanuel Pleitez is attempting to move beyond the perception that he is a mere protest choice by outlining a seven step economic plan during a presser at LA Trade Tech College.

** Ron Kaye has a great follow up on the ethnic cleansing proclivities of Assemblyman Slobo Mikey Gatto. With the California Democratic Party now investigating Slobo Mikey's actions at the recent 43rd AD delegate selection process, Slobo Mikey may have BIG political problems ahead.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14