As Mayoral candidates Gary Soiseth and Mike Brem report new, large contributions, Brem has again failed to report a contribution within the required 24 hours period.
Per Fair Political Practices Commission rules, between Aug. 6 and the election date candidates are required to report any contributions a candidate has received or made of $1,000 or more within 24 hours.
On Oct. 2, two $1,000 contributions were reported by Mike Brem for Mayor 2014, however one of the contributions dates back to Sept. 9.
Previously, on Sept. 23, Brem filed eight contributions of $1,000 or more, totaling $17,000 — each failing to be filed within 24 hours.
Brem said the first late filing was just a mistake due to having outdated FPPC information.
“In the Candidate Forum Information I received from the City, the Form 497 required reporting of any donations of $1,000 or more as of October 19th, 16 days before the election,” Brem said at the time. “We were made aware this week that the rules changed and immediately reported as per the requirements.”
The $1,000 contribution, donated by Jim Theis, Citizens for Yes on Measure B Committee Chairman and Head of the Steering Committee, was received on Sept. 9, according to the FPPC 497 form received by Turlock City Clerk Kellie Weaver.
Brem failed to return requests for comment or explanation on the recent late filing violation.
Theis has also recently ran into issues with the FPPC reporting regulations. The Citizens for Yes on Measure B failed to report four of six contributions reported on Sept. 19 within the required 24 hours.
The committee’s mistake was also attributed to having outdated information, and Theis said the committee only found out about the law in a TurlockCityNews.com article.
“The reporting delay was a result of our volunteer committee having outdated reporting instructions,” said Theis. “When the Turlock City News article appeared on reporting deadlines, the City was contacted and updated guidelines were obtained and the necessary forms were filed. Reporting is now current.”
On Sept. 19, TurlockCityNews.com published an article informing the public of the 24 hours contribution reporting period, that went into effect Jan. 1, 2013, and donations received by Mayoral candidate Gary Soiseth and City Council incumber Forrest White.
According to the FPPC, violation of the Political Reform Act could result in a penalty anywhere from a warning letter to the maximum of $5,000 for each violation.
“… our Enforcement Division diligently enforces provisions of the Political Reform Act to not only penalize those who break the law but also to encourage compliance among the general political community and to ensure voters get the information they need when it matters, which is before any election” said FPPC spokesperson Jay Wierenga.
In a similar case, the Supporters for a Better San Clemente and Jeanne O’Grady were fined a total of $2,500 for failing to report a contribution of $2,111 to the City Clerk within 24 hours in October 2010, according to the FPPC website.
Soiseth also filed a recent contribution of more than $1,000 on Oct. 1 — a $1,500 donation from Sebastian Cipponeri.
With the newly filed contributions Soiseth’s estimated campaign contributions stand around $38,500.
Brem has increased his campaign total to approximately $27,923.99 with the two new $1,000 contributions. The other $1,000 contribution received by Mike Brem for Mayor 2014 was from the Albert Mendes
On Oct. 1, the Citizens for Yes on Measure B also reported receiving a $1,000 contribution from Samran & Sons Farming Co., Inc. on Sept. 30.
TurlockCityNews.com will examine the finances of both Mayoral candidates, all five Turlock City Council candidates, and the local political action committees following the Oct. 6 deadline to file campaign expenditure statements covering July 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2014.
Seems like this site has a bias for Gary Soiseth to win the mayoral election. Soiseth is advertising on this site and there have been two articles critical of Brem regarding the timing of when he reports campaign contributions, which in the grand scheme of things seems rather frivilous. This is a nice site for the Turlock community to get news, please don’t turn it into a political platform.
Brian.. If Turlock City News was supporting your candidate you statement would be different. I’m happy to see Turlock City News often reports issues with local government the Turlock Journal wouldn’t report because of controversy. The days of the Turlock Journal keeping it’s readers like ostriches with their head in the sand are fading thanks to the Turlock City News. Keep up the great job!
I don’t have a candidate. Gary Soiseth was walking my neighborhood on Saturday and I was very impressed with him and was actually leaning towards voting for him. However, if you are a part of his campaign and things like the timing of when donations are reported are going to be an important part of the election, rather than more pressing issues, maybe I’ll lean the other way.
Focus on the issues! Washington DC is already a mess because of dredging up crap like this in an election.
This site has become a joke!
Let’s talk about Soiseths family members being found guilty of arson
Re: Guest
Brem staff you are really stooping. It was a relative by marriage, you know, we all have one of those…….
Not that it matters, much like this story, but Soiseth’s brother-in-law did burn down a long time business in Turlock upon which Soiseth’s dad collected the insurance money. Soiseth also just moved to Tirlock this year. Neither of which has been covered by this website. Just sayin.
Good Point… Each and every one one of us have infamous characters in our family closet and none of us are in control of another’s direction in life so we should only judge the man himself and examine his words and actions.
It does matter since he says he comes from a great family. Just like his daddy. What a guy his daddy is.
Maybe that’s why firefighter endorsed him so they can finally have some work.
I believe the Soiseth name is associated with shady dealings, in and around Turlock. Who is Taylor Soiseth to Gary? Correct me if I’m wrong please did Taylor work at foster farms? Was Taylor involved in some kind of lawsuit?
You can’t be a politician or even a political candidate without some kind of shady, white-collar crime going on behind the scenes. Come on people, don’t you know how this works?!
I think the real question is…Who is Taylor Brem? This guy is a convicted criminal and I think he is related to Brem
Theis owed Brem for his planning commission decision to let him build a car wash on the land that they promised the community they would build a bowling alley. That’s why they both filed late and are both lying on the road tax trying to get people to pay more taxes. Brem already is involved with the city sending out illegal measure b inserts and is with the city manger who makes $248,000 a year. Who are these people? They’re not good I’ll tell you that.
Turlock City News does not have the credibility to be making opinions or telling voters what they believe is wrong. Where is your validation of being a respectible news source?
The Modesto Bee did not report on this because it is not newsworthy. This was a mistake and happens all the time.
Grow up Turlock City or people won’t follow you on Facebook. People saw your post about the Modesto Bee brainwashing people and it didn’t make sense. The Modesto Bee has every right to publish their opinion and make intelligent endorsements like Mike Brem for Mayor. You sir, do not have that credibility.
To: Guest – Modesto Bee credibility
As a citizen of Turlock, we are fortunate to live in a Country where Freedom of Speech is still alive and well. I would suggest if what you read on this site does agree with your views and opinions then like an app delete it your viewing. I strongly appreciate DJ and his dedication to providing news worthy information to the general public which other news sources may deem to controversial.
Thank you Turlock City News
I saw on Facebook that Dr. Rob Santos from Monte Vista small animal hospital is endorsing Mike Brem. What is the connection because it would seem like he would support Gary Soiseth and his modern business and leadership style?
I know Dr. Santos advertises and reads Turlock City News so maybe he can answer and tell us why Brem should be the next Turlock Mayor.
Thank you in advance,
John
I saw the picture on the Mike Brem for Mayor Facebook but it doesn’t say TID Board Member like it does for TID Board Member Michael Frantz. Is there a reason that Santos is less prominent on the endorsement list and why is TID leadership is not acknowledged? He’s also on the Chatom school board too.
Just to let you know, there are probably more then one Rob Santos in Turlock. It may not be THE Dr Rob Santos at Monte Vista Vet. Just say’in.
Soiseth- Taylor Soiseth is his brother and the lawsuit at foster farms was his against FF for being injured at work.
Will the real Rob Santos stand up? The real DR. Rob Santos please speak up. Don’t be shy now, do you support Brem or not?
interesting that with this article against Brems actions, you have 2 paid ads of Soiseth on this page…coincident or purpose? either way seems suspect…