Tuesday, January 24, 2006
CYD Files FPPC Complaint
Last week, the Gov's new communications director Adam Mendelsohn made a boo-boo: he started talking with reporters about Schwarzenegger's campaign, even though he works on the taxpayers' dime. Of course, we all know that Schwarzenegger is a big fan of putting state staff to work on his campaigns (see "Soul for Sale" on this blog), but Mendelsohn likely broke the law. In an LA Times piece last week, Mendelsohn was quoted as follows: "'We feel very confident that the Republican Party, in the end, will endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger,' said Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's new communications director." (LA Times, January 20, 2006) When CYD heard that taxpayer money was being used to advance Schwarzenegger's personal quest for a second term, we decided to file a complaint with the FPPC. Check out the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Berger
January 20, 2006
YOUNG DEMOCRATS FILE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST GOVERNOR’S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
SACRAMENTO -- The California Young Democrats (CYD) today filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission noting that the Governor’s new communications director, Adam Mendelsohn, violated the state’s ethics law.
Mendelsohn is quoted in the Los Angeles Times today discussing the Governor’s campaing. "We feel very confident that the Republican Party, in the end, will endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's new communications director.
“This administration consistently acts as if it is above the law,” said Stacy Berger, Executive Director of CYD. “State law requires a firewall between government work and campaign work. Whether it’s the chief of staff running around the state campaigning while being paid by taxpayers or the governor’s legislative secretary offering special access to donors, this practice is not only immoral, it’s illegal.”
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is a governmental watchdog organization that ensures that politicians and political campaigns adhere to the Political Reform Act. As the Governor’s communications director, Mendelsohn receives his pay from California taxpayers – a fact that bars him from participating in the Governor’s campaign except under very strict conditions.
“The governor’s communications director should not be talking about party politics while being paid by taxpayers,” said Berger. “That’s what campaign spokespersons are for.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Berger
January 20, 2006
YOUNG DEMOCRATS FILE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST GOVERNOR’S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
SACRAMENTO -- The California Young Democrats (CYD) today filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission noting that the Governor’s new communications director, Adam Mendelsohn, violated the state’s ethics law.
Mendelsohn is quoted in the Los Angeles Times today discussing the Governor’s campaing. "We feel very confident that the Republican Party, in the end, will endorse Arnold Schwarzenegger," said Adam Mendelsohn, the governor's new communications director.
“This administration consistently acts as if it is above the law,” said Stacy Berger, Executive Director of CYD. “State law requires a firewall between government work and campaign work. Whether it’s the chief of staff running around the state campaigning while being paid by taxpayers or the governor’s legislative secretary offering special access to donors, this practice is not only immoral, it’s illegal.”
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is a governmental watchdog organization that ensures that politicians and political campaigns adhere to the Political Reform Act. As the Governor’s communications director, Mendelsohn receives his pay from California taxpayers – a fact that bars him from participating in the Governor’s campaign except under very strict conditions.
“The governor’s communications director should not be talking about party politics while being paid by taxpayers,” said Berger. “That’s what campaign spokespersons are for.”
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