Anonymous Political Mailers In Support of the “Irvine Four” Violate Campaign Finance Laws
Over the Labor Day weekend, Irvine residents received a political mailer without any disclosure of who sent it, who paid for it, and how much it cost — a clear violation of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Political Reform Act.
Disclosures are required by the FPPC to “promote transparency in government and to foster public trust in the political system.” Organizations producing slate mailers must identify themselves on the mailers with a notice such as this:
Irvine Watchdog was notified about the mailer by residents in the villages of Woodbury, Portola Springs, and Woodbridge. One Woodbridge resident alerted the public on social media and commented, “Due to the size and quality of the card I imagine it cost quite a bit plus postage.”
A targeted slate mailer for our city of 307k+ residents can cost well over $30,000.
The website www.irvinefour.com was also created with the same image as the mailer, and was registered using a domain protection service based in Denver, CO. The website was registered and updated on August 26, 2021.
Below are front and back photos of the mailer:
Mailers are just one of many methods used by special interests to influence your vote. Other tactics used to gauge and influence voter support include telephone surveys, email surveys, social media ads, and social media influencers — all of which will increase exponentially as we approach the November 2022 Irvine City Council election.
This mailer leaves us wondering:
Why were these mailed anonymously?
Who can afford such mailers and where did they get all the addresses that they were mailed to?
Who stands to benefit from the veterans cemetery being built in Anaheim Hills instead of Irvine?
Emile Haddad of Fivepoint recently told the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ) “that another 5,000 homes or so could be built on his Irvine-based company’s land at the former El Toro marine base if the city OKs a deal” and that “his primary goal is to work on big-picture ideas to boost stockholder value” and “fulfill the company’s dream for the Great Park” according to the OC Register.
Haddad striking an optimistic tone stated, “we have a great partnership with the city of Irvine.” His firm Fivepoint and Irvine Co. have had “a lot” of discussions with the city over how to move forward on seeking new entitlements. “If you’re asking me, ‘do I feel good about that happening?’ The answer is ‘yes,’” he told the OCJB.
Fivepoint is the city of Irvine’s partner in the Great Park development and according to the Voice of OC, one of the largest campaign contributors in Irvine politics.
Our five City Council members hold all the deciding power on development in the Great Park since the four at-large Directors were removed in 2013 in a 3-2 vote.
Many development plans in the Great Park hinge on the decision of the veterans cemetery location. Potential revenue for commercial and high end housing development are estimated in the billions.
Transparency Matters
Whatever the source of these mailers, they are not transparent and they violate FPPC rules in their anonymous attempt to sway voters.
It is up to voters to do their due diligence and examine each candidate and councilmember, from their campaign promises to their votes on the dais.
There is nothing more powerful than a well-informed electorate.
To file an FPPC complaint click here.
6 Comments
Lauren Johnson-Norris
September 10, 2021 at 9:01 amRight out of the 5 pt, Strader, John Fleishman playbook. You remember when they sent 10s of 1,000s of multiple illegal letters to Irvine residents in 2018 accusing me of loving child molesters and demanding I be removed as a commissioner? Later the same content appeared on mail paid for by the builders association and on a website calling for me to be recalled. They don’t believe the law applies to them and benefit immensely from these bad acts. We know only 5pt and it’s operatives have any motive to sway the elections.
Branda Lin
September 10, 2021 at 9:45 amIs Adam Probolsky, a pollster and party insider who runs Probolsky Research and puts out mailers every election in Irvine, involved with this? Brian Probolsky, who has been quoted as an “influential OC GOP insider”, along with his brother, lands a seat on the Moulton Niguel Water District due to aggressive campaigning by his brother Adam. Now, Brian gets appointed CEO of the OC Power Authority even though he has no relevant experience or education and sits on both Boards despite the OCPA Risk Management Policy’s rules. Adam Probolsky put out a video before the 2020 election, and mailer, in support of Mike Carroll and Farrah Khan, saying Khan needed Carroll on the Council — the two Irvine reps who now sit on the OCPA Board. Carroll is Chair of the OCPA even though he had absolutely no background in climate advocacy before. Why Carroll? And why did Farrah Khan help cover up Carroll’s misappropriation of tax dollars? Does Carroll’s position on the OCPA have anything to do with the meeting between Patrick Strader (lobbyist for Fivepoint), Farrah Khan, Melahat Rafiei, and Mike Carroll days before the appointment of Mike Carroll to the Irvine City Council in 2019? Wasn’t that the meeting where the arrangement to have Carroll appointed to the Council made? The fact that Carroll switched party affiliation from Republican to NPP the day of the appointment, only to switch back to Republican 6 months later is quite telling. This is all so troubling. There is much happening behind the public eye, major decisions being made, against what representative democracy is all about.
Woofy
September 10, 2021 at 4:33 pmIt’s very obvious who sent these. The Kim’s who are very wealthy realtors in Great Park. Tammy Kim knows them…very well.
Katherine Daigle
September 10, 2021 at 8:22 pmFinally, I have no words except “I told you all” that these snakes are here to stay and there is nothing you can do about it. The developer, lobbyist, and political rats will take your money, votes and city policies right to the bank, you mind as well signed the check over to them. Nothing will change unless you commit to vote for someone who will give you the truth, provide integrity, and put the people first. Alas, the voter continues to vote for them every year. Stand up and boot them out of office – make your friends and neighbors know what the hell is going on. Do we need a FORENSIC AUDIT?
Melisa Masri
September 12, 2021 at 12:03 amI didn’t get one in College Park, so they are targeted, but to whom? Also, remember “Team Irvine”? https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nwpcoc/pages/845/attachments/original/1598044311/Team_Irvine_Graphic.png?1598044311 Larry Agran fought to get the cemetery in Irvine. Now, it is lost to Anaheim at a site that has not yet had the feasibility and cost analyses that the ARDA site had: https://californianewstimes.com/a-new-all-veterans-organization-is-fighting-for-the-long-promised-veterans-memorial-park-cemetery-in-irvine/503413/ . So odd that this is portrayed as a win. I doubt that whatever is built in its stead will be as respectable and peaceful as a cemetery.
Woofy
September 12, 2021 at 7:29 amHere we go with the cemetery again. The residents didn’t support it and that is a requirement. It specifically says “local support” and if the neighbors didn’t want it, it wouldn’t be built. Oh, guess who organized that group at the council meeting? See my comment above.