I write to express my gratitude and commendation for the Fair Political Practices Commission’s (FPPC) recent action of penalizing Village Laguna for campaign violations. This development marks a victory for transparency and accountability in our community.
The residents of Laguna Beach, alongside the founders of Liberate Laguna, are heartened by the FPPC’s stance against entities disregarding campaign laws. The imposition of penalties underscores a clear message: No organization is exempt from adhering to the laws governing our electoral processes.
The FPPC’s intensive investigation has revealed Village Laguna’s seeming attempt to conceal information from the public. Their failure to report independent expenditures on public reports is a serious transgression that deprives voters of essential insights into the influences shaping their election decisions.
The implications of these violations are profound. By concealing the identities behind independent expenditures, Village Laguna has eroded the electorate’s trust and compromised the integrity of our democratic system. The FPPC’s decisive action reaffirms its commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency in our electoral system.
I commend the FPPC for its unwavering dedication to justice and accountability. This penalty serves as a necessary reminder to all organizations engaged in political activities that transparency is non-negotiable, and violations will be met with severe consequences.
As a community, we must remain vigilant and steadfast in demanding accountability from all organizations seeking to influence our democratic processes. The actions of Village Laguna serve as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the principles of transparency and integrity in our civic engagement. You can read more about it at fppc.co.gov.
Sam Goldstein, Laguna Beach, a founding member of Liberate Laguna
