Mayor Sam Exclusive: An Examination of Political Consultant John Shallman Campaign Billings for the 2013 Municipal Elections

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we review the billing records of "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" John Shallman's four candidates clients in the upcoming 2013 March Municipal Elections, as Shallman is the subject of an Ethics Complaint regarding unreported/ gift of campaign services to City Attorney Mike Feuer. 

What is the root motive of "Private Citizen/ Campaign Consultant" John Shallman's irregular billing practices?

Can we draw comparisons from the billing practice of Shallman and the nefarious fiscal shell games of his former bookkeeper Kinde Durkee?

** Blogger's note: In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we examine the irregular billing practices of the candidate clients of "Private Citizen / Campaign Consultant" John Shallman. The results of our tabulations of costs and billing practices, show an irregular billing process that favors accommodations for candidates on the top end of the local political pyramid.This process favors Mayoral Candidate Wendy "The Villar Greuel" ($75,000) and especially City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer, who has been charged the paltry sum of ($7,871.43). Meanwhile, CD 11 Candidate Mike Bonin ($274,870) and CD 1 Candidate Gill Cedillo ($261,761), have provided most of Shallman's latest consulting fees (** we should also state that Shallman is doing IE work for UTLA). The Feuer billing, has provided fiscal fodder for the Carmen Trutanich Campaign, as they filed an Ethics Complaint against Feuer and Shallman, citing an alleged illegal scheme to donate consulting services, beyond the maximum $1,300 donation. One observer in conversation, upon learning of the numbers, could not help but draw comparisons to convicted campaign finance swindler and former Shallman book keeper Kinde Durkee, who move money from one account, to cover fiscal malfeasance's in another account, on numerous occasions. We invite Mr Shallman and his Attorney Andrew Cowan to comment on our findings---Scott Johnson.

** BREAKING NEWS: The mother of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Easter Trutanich passed away this afternoon in San Pedro. The Trutanich Campaign has indefinitely suspended campaign activities to deal with family matters. Our prayers go out to the Trutanich Family.

 City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer ($7,871). The questionable $30,000+ in donations from officials and associates of Bet Tzedek, are way above the current billing receipts by the Feuer Campaign to Shallman.

 The Mayoral Campaign of City Controller Wendy "The Villar Greuel" has currently listed this one billing from John Shallman Communications. A paltry sum in comparison to $4 Million + in campaign expenditures.

02/17/13*

Shallman Communications, Inc.   Encino, CA 91436

Wendy Greuel  Mayor 1337185 - Wendy Greuel for Mayor 2013

E - Payment  (CNS - Campaign Consultant)  [Period: 02/17/13 to 02/27/13]

$75,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

CD 1 City Council Candidate Gil Cedillo has Shallman-related expenditures totaling $261,761 dollars, with $140,000 +of that total listed as debt.

The recent replacement candidate for CD 11 City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, Mike Bonin has in his short time running for office, accumulated $274,870 in billings from Shallman, including this cost for postage.

02/17/13*

Shallman Communications   Encino, CA 91436

Mike Bonin  Council Member - District 11 1352608 - Mike Bonin for City Council 2013

E - Payment  (POS - Postage)  [Period: 02/17/13 to 02/27/13]

$73,985.27 [Election: 03/05/13]

In conclusion, we recommend that Bonin and Cedillo, request the services of "The Villar Greuel" (when she is not engaging her campaign "Boss D"Arcy associate, in dinner table discussions) and ask her to find possible "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" in their respective campaign billings.

Your thoughts ..............
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    

LA Times: "Nonprofit group names key strategist (Shallman) for Greuel, Feuer in lawsuit".

A Non-profit group alleges that "Private Citizen/ Villar Greuel and Feuer Political Consultant" John Shallman, was "unjustly enriched" via the Durkee Scandal.

How will the "Private Citizen/ Political Consultant" explain this latest "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" Lawsuit?

We have our pre-Election Day Thursday Campaign Breaking News. From the LA Times.

A group that lost $1.5 million in the statewide political embezzlement scandal filed a lawsuit against a high-level strategist for mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel last week, alleging the campaign consultant was “unjustly enriched” even as other victims failed to recoup their money.The Mountain View, Calif.-based National Popular Vote Institute, which wants to end the presidential electoral college system, went to court demanding reimbursement from Greuel campaign consultant John Shallman, Durkee and First California Bank, which handled Durkee's funds. The suit does not allege wrongdoing by Shallman.

 Shallman Defense Attorney Andrew Cowan

Our corresponding legal friend Andrew Cowan, had these comments in regards to the past actions of his client.

Shallman's lawyer, Andrew Cowan, sharply disputed the lawsuit's portrayal of his client, saying Shallman was a victim of Durkee who lost out on $1 million. Since the lawsuit was filed, Cowan offered to provide the National Popular Vote Institute with information showing that Shallman did not benefit financially from Durkee's actions."We have agreed to hold off on serving [Shallman] with the complaint to allow time for review of that information," Berger said in an email. Berger said he had done so to as a "professional courtesy." "It doesn't mean that we're not moving forward with any part of the lawsuit," he said.

Shallman speaks through Cowan.

Shallman Communications represents Greuel and a handful of other candidates in the March 5 election, including city attorney candidate Mike Feuer and council hopefuls Mike Bonin and Gil Cedillo.Shallman said through his lawyer that he "deeply sympathizes" with the National Popular Vote Institute, saying he too is owed restitution. Durkee misfiled Shallman's tax returns from 2001 to 2009, Cowan said. 

........ makes us wonder what the California version of Sing Sing is?

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

Nuch widens lead over Feuer in new City Attorney Campaign Poll

Mike Feuer falls further behind Nuch in latest City Attorney Campaign Poll and returns "only one" questionable contribution from Bet Tzedek associates.

City Attorney Candidate Assemblyman Mike Feuer in recent photo with fellow former Bet Tzedek Executive Directors (from left to right) Luis Lainer ($1,300), Terry Friedman ($500), Feuer, David Lash ($1,000), Mitchell Kamin ($1,000) and current E.D./CEO Sandor Samuels ($1000 + the amount of $750  from his wife). Photo via the Los Angeles Dragnet Blog. (** bolded amounts denotes Feuer contributions).

** Blogger's note: A Survey USA Poll sighted by a City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Campaign Press Release below, shows Nuch expanding his poll lead over Mike Feuer. Meanwhile, we have found via the Ethics Commission Website, that the Feuer Campaign has returned only one of the questionable contributions from officials or associates of Bet Tzedek, which we reported on in our previous Mayor Sam Exclusive.

01/08/13

Robert Schwartz   Los Angeles, CA 90067

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

E - Payment  (RFD - Returned Contribution) Desc: Return of Contribution  [Period: 01/01/13 to 01/19/13]

$1,300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

Thus, its clear that the Feuer Campagn was engage in accepting illegal contributions from a city-contracted, non-profit agency, which can have serious fiscal repercussions for the long time provider of free legal services---Scott Johnson. 

For Immediate Release

Trutanich for City Attorney 2013

TRUTANICH LEAD WIDENS IN LATEST CITY ATTORNEY POLL

Friday, February 01, 2013 - LA City Attorney Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich’s lead over his nearest rival in the city attorney race has widened to 10 points, according to a SurveyUSA poll commissioned by KABC-TV (Channel 7). 

The poll shows Trutanich with 29 percent to 19 percent lead over termed-out former assemblyman Mike Feuer. Two weeks ago, the same poll showed Trutanich with a 6 point lead (27 to 21 percent) over Feuer.

“This is a great sign of momentum for Trutanich,” said Rick Taylor, Trutanich’s chief strategist. “As voters begin to focus on this race, the evidence is clear: City Attorney Trutanich’s record as an independent city attorney, with a winning record of protecting the vulnerable, the taxpayer and our neighborhoods, is resonating with the electorate.”

Here’s the link to the SurveyUSA poll results.

Trutanich is now a 4-for-4 winner in published polls. The results of four polls testing voter preferences in the City Attorney’s race have been published (two by SurveyUSA, one by Loyola Marymount University’s School for the Study of Los Angeles and one by the Trutanich campaign) and each time, Trutanich has come out on top. 

“Sometimes candidates like to boast about all their endorsements and the size of their campaign warchests,” said Taylor. “But that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans unless you’ve got the voters on your side. That’s what the Trutanich campaign has going for it.”

Here’s a link to Trutanich’s accomplishments and a snapshot of his positions on issues facing the City Attorney as they appear on League of Women Voters* Smart Voter website.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

City Attorney Candidate Greg Smith calls out Mike Feuer's "$30,000 in Questionable Contributions" from Bet Tzedek Associates

City Attorney Candidate Greg Smith calls out Assemblyman Mike Feuer's "$30,000 in donations" from associates of Bet Tzedek, as Feuer dodges media inquires.

Deputy City Attorney Greg Smith (right) accepts LAPPL's Line of Duty Award.

Don't count on "Bet Tzedekgate" going away anytime soon.

As Assemblyman Mike Feuer Campaign dodges media inquires regarding our Mayor Sam Exclusive, fellow City Attorney Candidate Greg Smith has apparently "up the tote of contributions" from Bet Tzedek associate, to the City Attorney Campaign of its former Executive Director.

During last night's Temple Israel City Attorney Debate moderated by LA Times Columnist/ Roving Editor Jim Newton, Smith stated to the assembled audience that Feuer had received $30,000, not our low end amount of $18,950. ** We can on further review, add another $12,086 in Bet Tzedek associates  donations to give us a new total of $31,036 dollars in legally questionable donations.

We have no reason to dispute the obviously-researched higher total cited by the Smith Campaign. As we noted in our initial report, we surmised that our total was on the low end. Thus, the findings of the Smith Campaign only cast a larger spotlight on a growing fundraising scandal.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan New-Enterprise has sought comment from the Feuer Campaign, regarding our exclusive, to no avail, as noted in this excerpt.

A contributor to a popular Los Angeles political blog has accused executives of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, one of whom is now a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, of making illegal donations to the campaign of Los Angeles city attorney candidate Michael Feuer.Scott Johnson, posting Saturday on “Mayor Sam’s Sister City,” alleged that a $1,000 donation by Holly Fujie in October 2011—two months prior to her appointment to the bench—and other donations made between October 2010 and June of last year violated rules prohibiting city contractors, bidders for contracts, and officers of organizations that are contractors or are bidding for contracts from donating to city candidates if the amount of the contract or proposed contract exceeds $100,000.The Feuer campaign did not respond to a MetNews request for comment..

Back at the debate, an eyewitness provided more background on Smith's comments.

Greg smith has definitely followed up on your story. he did some digging and raised the ante: smith told the audience at the temple israel of hollywood debate that feuer raised $30,000 from bet tzedek board members and executives. feuer did not respond. smith made the remark in the context of pointing out that he (smith) had to self-fund his campaign because he was an outsider candidate who didn't have access to big-time city hall contributors - like bet tzedek. later, during the reception after the main event, smith said he was expecting someone to file an ethics complaint about this matter which, he believes, will dog feuer throughout the campaign. smith also said, again after the debate, that if he had had a chance to ask feuer a direct question (each candidate got to ask one question of a rival - but who you posed the question to was decided by lottery), he would have asked feuer if he personally solicited the contributions from bet tzedek 

We should note that Smith's temerity in seeking Feuer's comments may have resulted in some alteration/deletion of his comments from the live streaming video of last nights proceedings. At the 42:15 mark in the debate, Smith makes his $30,000 comment, but for whatever reason, the comment is deleted.

This fact should be reason enough for Debate Moderator Jim Newton's "supposed fishwrap of record", to invest story budget on this growing fundraising scandal.

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Tuesday

IBEW's "Boss D'Arcy" throws in (dues money) for The Villar Greuel in the 2013 Mayoral Contest.

IBEW 18 and DWP Strongman Brian "Boss D'Arcy".

The Boss has chosen ………….

If anyone doubted that the former republican, turned opportunistcrat City Councilwoman/ Controller and now “The Villar Greuel Mayor Candidate”, was the anointed choice to continue the reign of the Mayor Villar Political Machine, then defer to the “Boss”.

IBEW 18 Strongman Brian D’Arcy, along with “The Villar Greuel’s” friends in the Entertainment Community, announced the formation of a “Pro Villar Greuel Campaign PAC.

Furthering the premise behind bestowing “The Villar Greuel” on the former Valley Republican, is the disclosure that past Mayor Villar campaign associates Ace Smith and Sean Clegg, will be fronting the operations of the PAC.

In addition to supporting “The Villar Greuel”, the “Working Californians PAC” will also back CD 3 City Councilman Dennis Zine for City Controller and four other city council candidates.

** The bagpipes are nearly ready to announce the demise of City Clowncilman Mitch Englander and “Average Joe” Buscaino’s much-maligned $3-4.5 Billion Street Bond Proposal. Fellow council members Paul Krekorian, Bernard Parks, Jan Perry, Dennis Zine, with Tom LaBonge a possible fifth, stated their opposition to the placement of the proposal on the May, 2013 Ballot.

** In our exclusive on the possible illegal contributions from Bet Tzedek to the City Attorney Campaign of its former Executive Director Assemblyman Mike Feuer, we may have understated the amount of money donated by the city contractor. Fellow City Attorney candidate Greg Smith mentioned in last night’s debate that Feuer was the $30,000 candidate of BetTzedek. We invite the Smith Campaign to clarify their $30,000 claim.

** Outgoing CD 2/7 City Councilman Richard AlarCON disclosed yesterday that he has a homeless son, that wanders the streets due to mental health issues. With now two offsprings with “wandering issues”, we ask whether Councilman AlarCON ever made his CD 7 home available to his son?

** Neighborhood Councils city-wide should commend CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks efforts to give them more say in the decision making process at City Hall.

** Downtown News Editor and “Scribe of Wit” Jon Regardie, has a great interview with CD 9 City Council Candidate David Roberts. Roberts, unlike the other candidates in field, has intimate knowledge of the issues on the ground in CD 9 and is worthy to replace Jan Perry on the City Council.

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

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

Mayor Villar pledges not to comment on the actions of the next Mayor of Los Angeles.

The Villar Greuel can rest assure that out-going Mayor Antonio Villar, will not comment on her actions as the third term incarnation of the Villar Political Machine (if elected).

With no apologies to former Vice-President Al “Jazeera” Gore, happy Global Warming morning from the frost-covered grasslands of CD 14. For the record, the National Weather Service LA/ Oxnard Office reports that the temperature dropped to 34 degrees at its official Downtown LA weather station, on the campus of the “University of Scandalous Conduct”. Of course, one can make a case that chilly, is the right description regarding USC’s community relations around its Health Sciences Campus, but I digress.

** Mayoral Candidate City Controller Wendy “The Villar Greuel” can rest assure that out-going Mayor Antonio Villar will remain silent (for media attribution) on how she executes the third term goals of the City Terrace native, if elected. As Daily News City Hall Beat Writer Rick Orlov reports in his “Monday Tipoff Column”, Mayor Villar’s political sensitivities will be confined to defending his own actions and not critiquing the next mayor (** especially if the Villar Greuel is elected).

** Orlov does double duty this morning in scribing, dare we say, a gusher PR piece on the Villar Greuel. Take note of the following passage.

"People understand I can be a good legislator, be a good businesswoman and go after those issues that are important. I think people will find I can do all those things and be tough. They want someone to lead them, I have demonstrated I can be that leader."
That was put to the test when James, one of her rivals in the race, accused her of campaigning on city time and allowing her staff to work on her campaign.
Greuel met the James challenge (Que?), going down to his news conference and telling reporters it was a reflection of the start of the "silly season" of the mayoral election.

Maybe Mr. Orlov needs  to read the latest on “Calender Gate”?

** If  “The Villar Greuel” thought that Randy Economy was going to fold after her “Private Citizen/ Campaign Consultant” John Shallman’s attack from the gutter, then they may not want to link here to Economy’s latest on “Calender Gate” via the Los Cerritos News Group.

** If you have the shakes for the latest campaign contributions totals, then we recommend the journalistic Cliff Notes report, stringed together by the City Maven. But if you want the background on the “story behind the donors”, link here to our first exclusive report on the questionable donations by Bet Tzedek associates to Assemblyman Mike Feuer City Attorney Campaign. The LA Dragnet Blog offers this comment from its post on our exclusive.

The Mayor Sam exclusive is particularly timely. Monday night sees the candidates for City Attorney debating at Temple Israel of Hollywood. The topic, 'How do Values and Ethics Inform the Job of City Attorney,' will likely lead to some awkward questions for Feuer based on the perception that he has accepted campaign contributions which appear to directly violate Measure 'H'.

** Bravo for Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street Columnist Jim Newton for his random act of journalism. This in stating the obvious about Mayor Villar’s shell game behind attaining the goal of 10,000 police officers.

** We turn our attention to our much missed former CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar Chief of Staff, now CD 9 City Council Candidate Ana Cubas. In the course of reviewing the information she provided for her Smart Voter webpage, she stated the following as her top priorities if elected.

Reform the BudgetImprove our transportation and city infrastructure, such as streets, sidewalks, and parksJobs and economic development, including investment in urban areas

We ask this simple question, how can we trust Ana Cubas to reform a budget when the video below showcases her lack of knowledge of the status of discretionary budgets that she helped oversee in her former job? (** or was that just spin to confuse an inquiring group on constituents?)

Your thoughts …………..

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Contributions from Bet Tzedek Associates raises Ethical Questions for City Attorney Candidate Mike Feuer

** Mayor Sam Exclusive: Do Bet Tzedek officials contributions to the Mike Feuer for City Attorney Campaign, violate Ethics Commission standards?

Mayor Villar to Assemblyman Mike Feuer. "Are you wearing Jack Weiss'es dubious campaign money dirty laundry"?

Please pause with us as we share in a “political Déjà vu moment” regarding a current and past Mayor Antonio Villar endorsed candidate for City Attorney.

Some background. Mayor Sam has uncover documentation that show legally-questionable campaign contributions from top officials of  City Attorney Candidate Assemblyman Mike Feuer pre-political career employer Bet Tzedek (The House of Justice).

Bet Tzedek, which was founded to provide free legal services to low income residents, has in recent years, received various city contracts to provided services in its coverage area and recently moved its main office from its original Fairfax location , to a larger office on Wilshire and Western.

Current President and CEO Sandor Samuels (the former chief legal counsel for the defunct controversial Countrywide Mortgage Company), upon taking over the top position held in the past by Assemblyman Feuer, stated a desire to expand services for the aged. That goal recently bear fruit via this city services contract from the Department of Aging for $398,000, which was signed by Samuels on August 11, 2011. Since the initial contact was signed, it has been amended twice, increasing the funding to its current level of $865,290, that was signed off on by the CEO on June, 12, 2012.

For all, for profit and non-profit entities , the Ethics Commission recently amended guidelines that govern political contributions by those seeking city contracts, in spirit of preserving the integrity of the competitive bidding/ selection process, as excerpted below.

(12) (A) The following persons shall not make a campaign contribution to any elected City official, candidate for elected City office, or City committee controlled by an elected City official or candidate:(I) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the City Council;(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract obligations of a person defined in sub paragraph (i); and(iii) Principals of persons defined in sub paragraphs (i) and (ii).(8) The following persons shall not make a campaign contribution to the Mayor, the City Attorney, the Controller, a City Council member, a candidate for any of those elected City offices, or a City committee controlled by a person who holds or seeks any of those elected City offices:(i) A person who bids on or submits a proposal or other response to a contract solicitation that has an anticipated value of at least $100,000 and requires approval by the elected City office that is held or sought by the person to whom the contribution would be given;(ii) Subcontractors that are expected to receive at least $100,000 as a result of performing a portion of the contract obligations of a person defined in sub paragraph (i); and(iii) Principals of persons defined in sub paragraphs (i) and (ii).

(E) The prohibitions in paragraphs (A) and (8) shall apply from the time the bid or proposal is submitted until the contract is signed, the bid or proposal is withdrawn by the bidder or proposer, or the City rejects all proposals for the contract, whichever is earlier. The prohibitions shall continue for 12 months after the contract is signed for the successful bidder or proposer, its principals, its subcontractors of at least $100,000, and the principals of those subcontractors.(F) For purposes of this subdivision, a principal of a person who is a bidder, proposer, or subcontractor means the person's board chair, president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, or the functional equivalent of those positions; any individual who holds an ownership interest in the person of 20 percent or more; and any individual authorized by the bid or proposal to represent the person before the City.

Simply, officials for Bet Tzedek, who’s organizational titles matched the positions outlined by the Ethics Commission, are prohibited from donating to candidates for the offices noted above, which would include City Attorney, during the time period outlined.

But as we disclose below CEO Samuels, along with Chairperson Gary Roberts, Chairperson Holly J. Fujie, Chair Emeritus Luis Lainer along with President’s Council Members Jay Wintrob, John Schulman and Jerome Coben, all have made donations to Assemblyman Mike Feuer’s City Attorney Campaign within the supposed donation blackout period. Thus, raising serious questions whether Ethics Commission protocols were usurp nefariously.

09/28/11	Sandor Samuels   (President, Bet Tzedek Legal Services) Encino, CA 91316	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$500.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
12/08/11	Sandor Samuels   (President, Bet Tzedek Legal Services) Encino, CA 91316	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$250.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

11/30/11	Gary D. Roberts   (Attorney, Fox Entertainment) Los Angeles, CA 90067	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$500.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
06/01/12	Gary D. Roberts   (Attorney, News America (Fox Group)) Los Angeles, CA 90067	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]	$800.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

10/05/11

Holly Fujie   (Attorney, Buchalter et al) Los Angeles, CA 90064

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

A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]

$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

10/11/11	Luis Lainer   (Real Estate Mgmt., Lainer Development Inc.) Los Angeles, CA 90077	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
04/10/12	Luis Lainer   (Real Estate Mgmt., Lainer Development Inc.) Los Angeles, CA 90077	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]	$300.00 [Election: 03/05/13

11/30/11

Jay S. Wintrob   (Financial Services, SunAmerican Financial Group) Santa Monica, CA 90402

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

A - Monetary Contribution Received  (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]

$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13

09/28/11	John A. Schulman   (Attorney, USC) Los Angeles, CA 90049	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
06/28/12	John A. Schulman   (Attorney, MSK) Los Angeles, CA 90049	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]	$300.00 [Election: 03/05/13

09/21/11	Jerome L. Coben   (Consultant, Zeughauser Group) Los Angeles, CA 90005	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/11 to 12/31/11]	$1,000.00 [Election: 03/05/13]
06/29/12	Jerome L. Coben   (Retired, N.A.) Los Angeles, CA 90005	Mike Feuer  City Attorney 1341335 - Mike Feuer For City Attorney 2013	A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual)  [Period: 01/01/12 to 06/30/12]	$300.00 [Election: 03/05/13]

In total, at least 19 Bet Tzedek associates, including those named above, have donated a collective sum of roughly $18,950 (estimate on the low end) to the campaign of Ben Tzedek’s former executive director (as noted on the pictured documents posted after the jump).. Add that total with the fact that the formerly exclusive provider of no cost legal advise to the disadvantage, has expanded their work with the help of city contracts, is sure to provide political fodder for intuitive political observers (** or maybe an Ethics Commission investigation?).

Mayor Villaraigosa noted in his last week‘s endorsement of  Bet Tzedek‘s former E.D. turned career political office seeker, that he would be the right man of integrity to run a city attorney office reduce by his imposed budget cuts. Yet, at this moment, Feuer is treading towards being the 2013 version of the Jack Weiss Campaign, that saw its donors become subjects of fines and Grand Jury indictments.

How is that for a political déjà vu moment?

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

Read more »