The "Not So Private Alliance" between Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Laurette Healey

Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto gets emotional when asking for Special Interest money.

46th Assembly District Candidate Laurette Healey balancing support of Assemblyman Mike Gatto.

As we near the two week mark until election day, the intuitive (a minute number these days) voter will take to reading mailers and campaign websites to educate themselves on the best candidate to support on election day. Judging of candidates may include browsing lists of endorsements from various community members and elective officials but some endorsements of elective officials aren't meant for public knowledge...... like Infant Assemblyman Mike Gatto's support of Laurette Healey. This email between Infant Assemblyman Gatto and Healey was supposed to be private but .........

From: Mike Gatto (** we remove Gatto's email due to his past litigious issues)
Date: October 13, 2011 12:48:40 PM PDT
To: <stonewalldemclub@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [StonewallDemClub] Will You Please Sponsor Me For AIDS Walk Los Angeles this Sunday?
Reply-To: StonewallDemClub@yahoogroups.com

Hi Laurette,
 
I have meetings in Nor Cal that day and wont make it.  I am so sorry to hear about Marcia not feeling well.
 
Keep cranking.  This race is yours.  
 
Be nice out there.  Be humble.  
 
I'm talking you up.  Dec. 30 report will be everything.
 
--Mike

..... and the Infant Assemblyman's support would not be complete without some cash from his special Interest friends.

BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS			LAKESIDE	CA / 92040
ID NUMBER	EMPLOYER		OCCUPATION
AMOUNT	TYPE	TRANS. DATE	FILED DATE	TRANS #
$1,000.00	INITIAL	5/18/2012	5/18/2012	1661477-2

NAME OF CONTRIBUTOR			CITY	STATE/ZIP
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS			TEMECULA	CA / 92593
ID NUMBER	EMPLOYER		OCCUPATION
AMOUNT	TYPE	TRANS. DATE	FILED DATE	TRANS #
$1,900.00	INITIAL	5/18/2012	5/18/2012	1661477-1

 Just more background for the informed voter in the 46th Assembly District.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 

Mail Issues in the 46th Assembly District (or is it CD 2?) Contest

 Well, well Political Consultant John Shallman isn't the only campaign guy regurgitation mailers. But then we are talking democratic consultants here and what is the number one affliction that ails democrats? "Bush Derangement Syndrome". 

 Thus, we can cut 46th AD Candidate Adrin Nazarian Consultant Eric Hacopian a little slack for falling back on a tired tactic of linking moderate democrats to the past policies of our last two-term president George W. Bush. But what counts is that the former CD 2 Campaign Mailer against Chris Essel above was part of a winning campaign strategy that sent the "Empty Vessel called Chris Essel for City Council", consulted by Shallman, sinking into a political abyss.

From the CD 2 Chris Essel and CD 15 Pat McOsker Campaign graphic of sinking ship via John Shallman.

Lastly, what is wrong with 46th AD Candidate Laurette Healey photo with LA County Sherrif Lee Baca?

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Some Questions for and Maybe Some Answers from "Private Citizen" John Shallman

Democratic Political Consultant and "non-public figure" John Shallman (center) with Republican Consultant Allan Hoffenblum at a "political speaker forum" on the campus of Flintridge Prep in 2008.

Political Consultant John Shallman and "non-public figure" John Shallman speaking at a public event.

Political Consultant John Shallman does a lot of public pontificating on politics for a supposed "non-public figure".... ** and maybe past candidate for public office?? 

In opening, for those in the Mayor Sam cybersphere audience who may wonder why our earlier posts regarding "questions" about Political Consultant John Shallman, 46th Assembly District Candidate Brian Johnson and other "possible" collaborations they may have to other national organizations in this current 46 AD race, they have been removed due to the following email from Shallman to Mayor Sam Blog owner Michael Higby. (We bold the key points of his email)

Mike,

I'm not sure if you still own Mayor Sam, but I'm assuming you do.
Over the course of the last several years or so, Scott Johnson has
made numerous false and defamatory statements about me.  While he and
you have a right to your opinion, you do NOT have the right to injure
a private citizen with libelous statements--like this preposterous
connection to the Tea Party. Today, this blogpost crossed the line.
Johnson is falsely stating that because I was the victim of a crime
and lost money, I have taken on the Tea Party as a client to help
Brian Johnson.  There is so much wrong with this that I do not know
where to begin.
You are officially on notice to take it down.
I do not work for the Tea Party.  I do not work for Brian Johnson.  Ihave never worked for Laurette Healey.  I am not a public figure or an
elected official.  As a private citizen, the burden you have to prove
your claims are significantly higher.  You will fail to do so because
you cannot prove something that is utterly false.
I will say this:  As a victim of a crime, I will not stand to be re-victimized.
Sincerely,John Shallman (** For the record, I did respond to Mr. Shallman's email but at this time I have not be given a reply to my overture which I will post at the end of this musing)

Let me state that we endeavor here at Mayor Sam to base our musings on the facts. If we choose to incorporate speculation, we label it as such. Plus, in the course of writing we have the right to question all possible story angles base upon the information at hand and craft our product in a style that may incorporate satire, mixed with parody. That is the bloggin way (especially for this writer). Maybe this journalistic concept is foreign to "private citizen" John Shallman but the use of legal threats by a Shallman consulted campaign, to influence reporting on the campaign proceedings is not as witness by the Janice Hahn for Congress Campaign's "Cease and Desist order " against Fox 11 News.

Thus, not wanting to provoke another legal letter from the likes of Stephen Kaufman, we like to ask these questions of "private citizen" John Shallman and extend an invitation to him to offer his answers which will be posted here at Mayor Sam. Lets call this an interactive exercise in "citizen journalism".

First Mr. Shallman, as noted above in the photographs of your numerous speaking engagements (which include comments on the record) include one that denotes you as a "democratic political consultant", does that qualify you as a "public figure"?  

Second Mr. Shallman, are you the same John Shallman who is on file with the California Secretary of State as having this past campaign committee? Thus, making you a public figure?

Third Mr. Shallman, you stated that you never worked for the Laurette Healey for Assembly Campaign, Does that campaign owe you a retraction or "correction of fact" for this statement made on their website?

Healey’s campaign team ** is led by General Consultant, John Shallman, and his firm Shallman Communications. Healey lives in Sherman Oaks, with her partner Marcia Davalos, Regional Director of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California.

** Maybe you and former Impeached President Bill Clinton might want to compare notes on the "meaning of is"?

Fourth Mr. Shallman, are you the consultant or will the Secretary of State records denotes you as such after its next reporting period, for the following IE Committee?  

Vote Brian Johnson for Assembly 2012, a Valley Allianceto Prepare Our Children for Tomorrow's Workforce, A Coalition ofEdVoice IE Committee, Valley Parents, Educators and Business Leaders,EdVoice Independent Expenditure Committee, to support Brian Johnson'scandidacy for AD 46, Charles Bell Jr., 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 600,
Sacramento, CA 95814Sacramento, CA 95814Sacramento, CA 95814, 916 442 7757; Sarah Lillis, 1107 Ninth St.,
Suite 680, Sacramento, CA 95814Suite 680, Sacramento, CA 95814Suite 680, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916 448 3868, Bill Lucia, 1107 Ninth St., Suite 680, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916 448 3868.

Fifth Mr. Shallman, if you are the consultant to the IE Committee noted above, what concerns do you have about Charles Bell Jr Tea Party client? Would disgraced Democratic Treasurer Kinde Durkee have taken on a client with tea party ties?

.

Once again Mr. Shallman, we invite you to submit your replies to redspotincd14@yahoo.com and grant you equal time to share your responses with our audience, in the spirit of reporting the facts

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14 ** My response to Mr. Shallman after the jump.

Read more »

Another Installment of "Laurette Watch" via the 46th Assembly District Race

46th AD Candidate Laurette Healey balancing political options.

The latest "Activity Sheet (#3)" via the "Laurette Watch" Twitter Account.

Visual aid for question # 1 on Activity Sheet # 3.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam Exclusive: Laurette Healey "not qualified" for 46th Assembly District Race

Is there enough ink in this pen for forty signatures?

Mayor Sam has learned that Republican turned Democratic perennial candidate Laurette Healey, was not qualified for ballot inclusion in the hotly contested San Fernando Valley 46th Assembly District.

According to multiple sources, Healey's problems started with signatures which were not valid. From one source, 

She screwed up her signatures and tired to turn in (in lieu of sigs) yesterday 10 days past the deadline. So at 11 yesterday (Friday) she figured out she screwed and took out nominating petitions and had 4 hours to get forty good sigs and make it to the register. No one knows if she made it or not, she is not listed as filed. .

As of Sunday evening, this was the latest on Healey's problems.

Won't know until tomorrow, but as of right now she is not listed as having filed. The story of her screw up has been confirmed, we just don't know if she will make it.

We will update this story later in the day..
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Friday

Comments from the dysfunctional cast of City Redistricting 2012 via the LA Times. Note to Koreatown activists, these are the comments of two of the central figures of the backroom dealings that was City of Los Angeles Redistricting 2012. Thus, when the calls come in the future for campaign contributions, or when someone passes you the envelope with the "cash only invoice" for permits, these are two of the enablers that have subjective your community to the CD 10 City Councilman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson Machine for ten more years.  

 Redistricting Commission Member Michael "MEAT" Trujillo on Koreatown: Commissioner Michael Trujillo suggested Koreatown was simply a victim of its central location. "Unfortunately, the way the process goes is, if you're in the middle of the city…that's going to be carved up," he said.  

City Redistricting Commission Executive Director Andrew Westall on the future of Koreatown: Some were upbeat about the proposed changes. Andrew Westall, a former Wesson aide and the commission's top executive, said they reflected important achievements, ensuring that dozens of neighborhood council areas were not split between multiple districts. He contends Koreatown will be brought together in a single district — the one represented by his former boss — for the first time in 40 years. 

We present "Laurette (Healey) Watch" via Twitter. 

Some of the best of "Laurette Watch" as the campaign for the 46th Assembly District heats up.

Schemes that make you go hmmm., or prompt you to contact the D.A.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

The teachers union, parents and the Mayor are battling over a new LAUSD high school. The new $106-million Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Learning Center is designed to relieve crowding at perennial basketcase Roosevelt High School which falls under the Mayor's "Partnership" of controlled schools. The Mayor and his team feel that because Mendez pulls students from Roosevelt, its their. The UTLA as well as parents say hold the phone. Though the Mayor is quietly attempting the takeover it appears it's the next battle in an escalating conflict between Villaraigosa and the Mayor (oops I meant the union but hey maybe there is an epic like battle between Villaraigosa and the Mayor!). Stay tuned.

I don't even think Obama was thinking of this when he devised the spendalus program. Tuesday the Los Angeles City Council will vote to use Federal dollars to make a $30 million loan to bring Cirque du Soleil to the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Yes we will hear the usual about how great it will be to have the circus come to town and all the jobs/money it will generate. But how many thousands of businesses in Los Angeles do just that without sweetheart deals from the City? No need for this circus; we already have a Clowncil.

With Wendy Greuel having moved up to Controller and her former Council district under the control of a caretaker, some residents of CD2 say the District is going to hell. Reports of homeless squatting, piling up trash, crime and other quality of life issues are piling up with no response from the City. A special election is set for Greuel's successor in September and likely not a moment too soon.

And finally Laurette Healey continues to delight. Apparently angry over our recent post outing her comments about the "complexion" of Sherman Oaks versus Van Nuys, she posted the following on her Facebook page: "Love that the wizards behind the Mayor Sam website have finally outed themselves. Michael Higby - YOU have some splaining to do!" She then links to a post from LAObserved that the bloggers at Mayor Sam have come out from behind the anony-curtain. Of course this story is from 2005 but Laurette's been busy lately.

Laurette Healey and the "Complexion" of Sherman Oaks

"Your lights are on, but you're not home. Your mind is not your own"
-Robert Palmer

Following a recent "victory" by perennial gadfly candidate Laurette Healey in convincing the Los Angeles City Council - over the objection of two local Neighborhood Councils - to rename a lower middle class section of Van Nuys to Sherman Oaks, more of what could be the compelling reason behind the name change has come out recently.

In a recent interview with Healey, Los Angeles Times writer Patt Morrison asked her what she meant when she said "we share common complexion and values with Sherman Oaks." The best Healey could come up with as to her definition was that she meant "infrastructure." I am sure most folks when they think of the "complexion" of a community think of something else if you know what I mean.

Despite winning their "battle" Healey and her movement issue press releases and make comments on blog accusing longtime respected political activist and Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council President Jill Barad - as well as other members of the Neighborhood Council - as racists.

Maybe now that Sherman Oaks has been forced to annex the low-rent district they may wish to consider a name change in that as much as Part of Sherman Oaks didn't want to be associated with "those people" in Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks' name itself is now a bit tainted. So feel free to make suggestions for the new name for the old Sherman Oaks.

Laurette Healey announced she was withdrawing her candidacy for CD2 despite her reported significant campaign contributions and endorsements. That's good, because if you read about her past antics, you will see we all dodged a bullet.

Laurette Healey Out, More To Follow

Let's see, this takes us down to 13 candidates vying for CD2, with the deadline for signature petitions a mere week away. Expect to see a few more dropping out by the end of next week as the reality of this campaign begins to settle in.

I'd also like to draw your attention to a new blog devoted to the race for CD2, and yes, I am involved with the project: http://cd2election.blogspot.com/

And now, Laurette Healey's press release announcing her withdrawal from the campaign for CD2 Councilperson:

LAURETTE HEALEY TO WITHDRAW FROM CD 2 RACE

Despite raising close to $100,000 from local supporters and collecting endorsements from over 2000 voters in her district, former Deputy State Controller Laurette Healey has decided to withdraw her candidacy for the open Council District 2 seat to succeed Wendy Greuel. Just last week, Healey succeeded in renaming a part of Van Nuys to Sherman Oaks in a City Council vote of 10-2. "We are in the process of returning alot of checks, and thanking members of my community for their offer of support. I remain passionate about public service."

Rather than seeking public office at this time, Healey will focus her efforts on jobs creation and economic development for the region using her combined private sector business background and Government experience as the State’s former Deputy “fiscal watchdog.”

“While I do not rule out the prospect of seeking public office in the future, I am fortunate to have other options available to me which will allow me to use my entrepreneurial expertise to create jobs and stimulate our economy. I see this as the most immediate need and there is no time to waste.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

·The newly named portion of Sherman Oaks represents 1,800 homes between the boundaries of Burbank Boulevard north to Califa/Tiara Sts; the 405 hwy on the west; and on the east to Hazeltine Blvd.

·Laurette Healey served as Deputy State Controller in the administration of former State Controller Steve Westly.

·Laurette Healey is a former joint venture partner of Home Shopping Network, Inc. and was the highest ranking female executive during her tenure.

Van Nuys Residents Seek Re-Branding Effort

 "Someone always playing corporation games
Who cares they're always changing corporation names"
- Bernie Taupin, Martin Page, Dennis Lambert, and Peter Wolf,

Here in Van Nuys ports over a piece from WWG's blog about the battle waged by some residents in Van Nuys that want to be Sherman Oaks.  Trouble is that neither Van Nuys wants to let them go nor does Sherman Oaks want to take them.  Best line comes from Daily News writer and area resident Steve Rosenberg who says the motivation of the efforts' backers are to be able to maximize value by selling their Van Nuys bought homes at Sherman Oaks prices. Who's allegedly behind the effort? Wacky loony (not to be confused with "Wacko's Loon") Laurette Healey, the driving spokes-force behind the last two bamboozling failed solar ballot measures.



You can check out the insurgents web site and blog here.  You would think they could use their time to more effectively actually attacking the issues and bettering their neighborhood than wasting time on a silly, elitist and racially tinged rebranding effort.

Slow Internet Evening Hotsheet

Time Warner Cable is still having challenges (the support technician I spoke to said "the engineers are aware") but let's try to crank out the hotsheet I owe and maybe one for tomorrow through all the latency.

The Times points out something I've been saying frequently lately - City department heads like Police Chief Bratton should not be endorsing candidates in City elections. As the fishwrap notes "the Christopher Commission concluded, amid its many recommendations, that the chief of police should refrain from engaging in city politics. 'Because the chief's office is inherently powerful,' the commission wrote, 'it is unseemly for the chief to use that position to influence the political process. ... Such activity politicizes the chief, and ultimately the department.'"  We agree.

We've heard about this the last few days but how unseemly it was to have Mayor Villaraigosa - in the throws of a re-election campaign where he's yet to really discuss the issues - campaigning for Governor in Northridge last weekend?  As the LA Times notes "there was Antonio Villaraigosa, the mayor of Los Angeles, giving a low-key pitch for his reelection next month without so much as a nod to his potential rivals in the June 2010 primary for governor."  Is California ready for an 11% Governor?

Political recurring disease Laurette Healey is back again hitching her wagon to yet another shady solar measure like she did with last year's Proposition 7.  Healey is using her vast mailing list to push Measure B.  Besides being opposed by those who know solar what both measures have in common are both Healey  and the so-called "Green Cowboy" David "I was there when FDR built the Tennessee Valley Authority" Freeman.  One wonders what's in it for them? We may eventually know.

If he's elected Mayor, Candidate David Hernandez promises to send Billy the Elephant to a sanctuary where he can be with other elephants.  Herndandez issued a statement saying that "Time has come for Billy the Elephant to join Ruby at the PAWS Sanctuary. It is clear the Los Angeles City Council and Special Interest Groups are using Billy as a bargaining chip in moving the Zoo’s Elephant exhibit forward."

Saturday Special Hotsheet

The campaign of Los Angeles City Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich announces that he has outraised front runner City Council Member Jack Weiss by two to one in the last reporting period.  According to reports filed with the City's Ethics Commission Trutanich received $92,000 in contributions compared to Weiss' $42,000.  Trutanich says that he has nearly $350,000 in cash reserved for television advertising.  In the meantime Trutanich unveiled a series of proposed reforms to the City Attorney office and garnered the endorsement of Council Member Dennis Zine and possibly from another opposing candidate, the Walter Moore affiliated David Berger.


Working hard for the City following President Obama's inauguration Mayor Villaraigosa took the ceremonial first bite of a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich at the annual "dineLA" restaurant week photo op this week.  While slurping down roast beef and Velveeta, Controller Laura Chick uncovered millions of dollars in waste and lots of potential fraud and abuse in the taking home of city owned vehicles by municipal employees and elected officials.

Mayoral candidate Zuma Dogg (David Saltsburg) appears in an ABC News Nightline piece covering the current state of public access television for the first time out of his character.  Along with public affairs television doyenne Leslie Sutton, Saltsburg expresses concern as to potential censorship of programming with the channels moving to City control.  I guess that camera crew wasn't really "Matt Dowd's friends" as you know who was posting.

Following an ass kicking in Sunland-Tujunga, Home Depot is now focused on it's day laborer center at it's store in Del Rey; working with Council Member Bill Rosendahl on plans to upgrade the facility.  However, local residents are not in favor of day labor centers being forced by the City on local big-boxes such as Home Depot.

A middle-class section of Van Nuys has worked itself up in a lather over being associated with a primarily Latino and working class remainder of the historic San Fernando Valley community and wants to attach itself to Sherman Oaks.  The effort, led by unsuccesful Assembly candidate Laurette Healey who has last seen trying to bamboozle Neighborhood Councils over the last shady solar energy ballot plan appears to have zero support in either Sherman Oaks or the rest of Van Nuys.

Opposition from neighboring cities is growing to the construction of a proposed NFL stadium in the City of Industry by Los Angeles developer Ed Roski.  Joaquin Lim, the Mayor Walnut has expressed his opposition to the stadium over fears of the arena's impact on his community while Diamond Bar has hired an attorney to attack Industry's Environmental Impact Report.  Maybe they could build a Home Depot there instead or move the detainees from Gitmo.

With buzz that he is a leading contender for the GOP Presidential Nomination in 2012 and the usual comparisons to President Obama, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will be the headline speaker at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual dinner.  Jindal, who takes the spot previously reserved for President Bush, denies he is running for President but has made a tour to at least one early primary state, Iowa, and has been campaigning and raising funds for candidates in other states, part of the usual required groundwork for a run at a party's Presidential nomination.

Fun Photos of AD 40: It's Almost Over Folks

Laurette Healey can't spell:

Bob Blumenfield goes for the naughty vote:

The Laurette Healey Players

It's always fun to take a look at the junk mail politicians flood your mailbox with this time of year. The brochures seek to make the office seeker look like a real person, out with the peeps and "in touch" with what you need.

One candidate however has decided that a campaign worker can easily "play the part" of at least a few "roles." See our Google Presentation below.

Marcia Davalos is a Democratic activist and a high level official within the campaign for 40th Assembly District Democratic Candidate Laurette Healey. She's good at astro-turfing for the campaign and though she's donated over $4,000 to the Healey campaign she has been paid nearly $35,000 for her services. (See Google Spreadsheet below or click here.)

This isn't the first time people have found Healey to be "creative." It makes you wonder what kind of smoke and mirrors she will use if elected to the Assembly.

FLASH: Daily News Endorses Waldman, Pavley

Though he has to sit first through a verbal spanking from the MOLDY GREENSHEET OF RECORD, 40th Assembly District Candidate Stuart Waldman garners the endorsement of the Daily News, a significant victory for the former Chief of Staff to Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and current seat holder Lloyd Levine.

Though the News is disgusted by the spat between Waldman and chief opponent Bob Blumenfield over Blumenfield's questionable campaign financing, they gave the nod to Waldman based on his past experience and their hope once in office he'll put all this behind him. The paper also stated that fellow candidates Laurette Healey and Dan McCrory "just aren't viable candidates."

In a related story, the Daily News endorsed Levine's opponent for the Democratic nomination for the 23rd State Senate District, Fran Pavley. The News compared Levine to Blumenfield saying the Assemblyman's "tenure has been more about serving himself than the Valley."

Voters in both races go to the polls June 3rd.

Corruption in AD 40 Race? Charges filed Against Blumenfeld and Healey

We all know how shady local politics are but Assembly candidates Laurette Healey and Bob Blumenfeld are quickly becoming the poster children for alleged shady dealings.

First off, we've become aware of a complaint filed with the State Labor Commissioner by a person employed by the campaign to secure Laurette Healey the Democratic nomination for the 40th Assembly District seat being vacated by Lloyd Levine. The individual claims that they were to be paid $3500 a month for their services. Three weeks into the engagement the campaign worker was asked to sign a contract. They asked if they could time to have a lawyer review it. When the worker told the Healey campaign there were elements of the contract they could not agree to; the campaign allegedly refused to pay the individual for work performed prior to the request by the campaign for a contract. To see the complaint filed against Healey, click here.

The other bad little kid in the AD 40 Democratic race is Bob Blumenfeld. A third candidate in the race, former AD 40 Chief of Staff Stuart Waldman, has filed charges with the Fair Political Practices Commission alleging that Blumenfeld's employer, Congressman Howard Berman and Blumenfeld's father, political operative Michael Blumenfeld created an independent expenditure committee - the Santa Monica based "Valley Democrats for Change" - as method to launder contributions from Berman and the elder Blumenfeld to the candidate's account. If this allegation is correct, Berman and Blumenfeld would be in violation of campaign laws which limit the amount an individual can contribute to a campaign. According to the complaint released by the Waldman Campaign, Berman and Blumenfeld reached this limit last year. Additionally, the law prohibits independent expenditure committees from working in concert with the candidate; Waldman's complaint details and alleges involvement and coordination from Berman and his staff in the Blumenfeld campaign.

In a related story, bad news for the man Waldman, Healey and Blumenfeld are seeking to replace. Levine's opponent in the 23rd Senate District Democratic race, Fran Pavley, is running 2-1 ahead of Levine in recent polls.

Is Laurette Healey Challenged When It Comes To Counting?

We've covered before 40th AD Democratic Assembly Candidate Laurette Healey's reported inability to properly account for campaign expenditures but what happens when you catch a candidate in an outright falsehood?

In an email to supporters, Healey claimed to have received the highest amount of contributions in the race. Yet, as noted below, Secretary of State figures show that distinction belongs to her opponent Bob Blumenfield who raised nearly half as much more than Healey. When it comes to cash on hand though Healey only has about a third the bank account of Blumenfield and a fourth that of other opponent Stuart Waldman.

However, according to state records Healey has spent nearly twice as much as Blumenfield and another $20K more than Waldman.



Maybe that's what she really meant - she spent the most, not earned it. Not the kind of person I want in charge of the state budget.

Laurette Healey: Republican?

Well she was. Of course now Laurette Healey's a Democrat as she runs for her new party's nomination for the 40th Assembly District.

The more I think about her campaign the more I get confused as to how confused she may be. First, as a new Democrat, Healey reportedly tried to vote in the wrong Assembly District in a state party endorsement session. Then, as we reported, a video disected all kinds of confusing and crazy stuff in Healey's campaign finance reports including the fact that Healey's campaign had spent more than it brought in.

The one thing I'm not confused about is that we had heard for some time Healey used to be a Republican. And now we know for sure.

Open Thread for Presidents' Day

I am sure some on the lunatic fringe of the radical right aren't surprised, but former President George H.W. Bush (aka Daddy Bush, Bush 41, etc.) has endorsed John McCain. The former President is absolutely right that the GOP - like it or not - must get behind McCain, that McCain's credentials are solid and even with his pro-illegal philosophy he's still a better choice than Barack or Shillary (who are also pro-illegal so what's the point?)

Lots of good stuff below with Zuma's report on more CD14 nonsense, alleged shady Laurette Healey campaign finance reports and more shenigans at LA's newest hotbed of alleged corruption and mismanagement, the DWP.

In other news, we're glad to hear that Former First Lady Nancy Reagan is doing well following hospitalization after falling in her home. She did not break her hip and should be sent home today.

Blog away dum dums.

Video: Laurette Healey's Shady Campaign Finances?