ALAMEDA COUNTY | The California Fair Political Practices Commission, the government body that oversees campaign ethics, cleared the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee of violating the state’s Political Reform Act.
“After completing our investigation, we found insufficient evidence of a violation of the Act, and we are closing our file on this matter,” said a letter from the FPPC, dated July 25.
During a meeting earlier this month, Alameda County Democratic Party Chair Robin Torello, announced news of the FPPC findings to its members, which was followed by a round of joyous cheers, according to those in attendance.
The FPPC’s investigation was reportedly triggered last April by a blog posted months before by central committee member Margarita Lacabe. In the article she alleged some committee members had entered into an earmarking scheme to mask donations from political action committees through the local party committee to endorsed candidates of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.
The investigation may come with some cost to the local party finances, in addition, to Lacabe. Local county officials suggest the roughly $8,000 in legal costs incurred by the central committee to defend itself is money taken away from prospective candidates this fall. One, incidentally, is Lacabe’s husband, Mike Katz-Lacabe, who is running for a seat on the San Leandro City Council.
Lacabe’s influence at the central committee, already limited, appears rock bottom. She did not attend the monthly meeting earlier this August and has been described as disruptive and argumentative since her election in 2010. In recent months, one committee colleague even moved to censure Lacabe for her behavior.
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Categories: Dems Central Committee, earmarking, FPPC, investigation, Margarita Lacabe, Mike Katz, Robin Torello, san leandro
Mike Katz will lose his bid for city council as a result causes by his very heavy weight wife keep buzzing lies, throwing accusations at people that they don't even know.
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Gays, blacks, Jews, handicapped, over-weight…
Yes, I guess the readers can see how you look at people.
No wonder you never make accusations in public
Harkens back to San Leandro's ugly past when only certain people were wanted in the city.
Nice for you to show your true colors in your seething hatred and discrimination.
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What do you mean by very light-weight…,under weight… nice for you to show your true colors in your seething hatred and discrimination?
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Very Ironic, vivid and clearly his pretend lawyer wife “always” never miss a chance using racist accusation comments hope she can win her argument. FYI it doesn't work anymore, we see the real you from your track of records!
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When she got her F from law school and flunked her bar exam NO PASS she probably /like always/ use her infamous racist accusations as her ultimate winning tool throw right at the professors and examiners hope getting a passing grade. Well, she lost them all!
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Marga should have to pay back the Alameda County Democrats.
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Alameda County Democrats scares of Marga.
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Just don't vote Mike Katz that's pay back!
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Pauline Cutter took $4900 from Oakland Marijuana distributer Sara Ubelhart, the new owner of Zocalo coffee shop in San Leandro. Tim Holmes was former owner of Zocalo also Cassidy's 2010 campaign manager.
Sara Ubelhart and Dan Grace, who own Dark Heart Nursery which grows cannabis in Oakland recently took over San Leandro Zocalo coffee house with Mayor Cassidy pressured and pushed landlord to continue lease.
Zocalo new owner Sara Ubelhart host many campaign functions for Pauline Cutter and other candidates support Marijuana.
Cutter's campaign report on official site Sanleandro.org stated Sara Ubelhart gave her $2450 in Cash $2450 provide space
and refreshment.
Here Contra Costa Times article, read for yourself:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_24117535/medical-marijuana-shops-moving-
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hey marga did you ask roaster Sara for donation? mike katz need it two years campaigning still under thousand buck. hear these clowns utilizing san leandro times letters to editor as their campaigning venue no freebies charge them
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The one person defending Benny Lee's action, and there is only one, seems to forget Benny Lee was elected to represent San Leandro not Oakland. That was a reprehensible action on his part, as San Leandro lost many millions over the life of the contract and hundreds of jobs. In other words —-he screwed the city he represents.
Very few care that Sara Ubelhart gave money to Pauline Cutter because a majority of voters in California approve of medical marijuana and it's distribution. You are in the minority.
What they don't approve of is our Vice Mayor Benny Lee telling Oakland it's ok if they take MILLIONS of dollars and jobs away from San Leandro. What San Leandro voters don't approve of this same company's director threw a fundraiser for Diana Souza after taking jobs and millions away from our city.
What San Leandro voters don't approve of is flying the Chinese flag over city hall. Recall Benny Lee and don't vote for Souza for Mayor.
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Hear Marga hang around Zocalo ask for donation Sara gave her a nickle and some pot Marga happily shared with Mike Katz.
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Amen 12:19. You hit the nail on the head. Keep tellin it like it is.
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Demand Alameda County DA's office perform an investigation, audit immediately on Souza $1000 from garbage firm and Cutter $4900 from a San Leandro business owner has a big Marijuana operation in Oakland. Important Note: San Leandro council is currently working on medical marijuana dispensary ordinance.
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PAULINE CUTTER TOOK POT MONEY IGNORED THOUSAND SIGNATURES WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR YOU!!!
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Clearly Mike Katz will lose his city council race.
Now we all know Marga Lacabe never graduated from UC Hastings with a law degree. she lied on her ballot statement to pretend lawyer and lied a J.D. title on Smartvoters. Mike Katz campaigned her lies and still covering her lies. They are full of lies.
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The one person defending Benny Lee's action, and there is only one, seems to forget Benny Lee was elected to represent San Leandro not Oakland. That was a reprehensible action on his part, as San Leandro lost many millions over the life of the contract and hundreds of jobs. In other words —-he screwed the city he represents.
Very few care that Sara Ubelhart gave money to Pauline Cutter because a majority of voters in California approve of medical marijuana and it's distribution. You are in the minority.
What they don't approve of is our Vice Mayor Benny Lee telling Oakland it's ok if they take MILLIONS of dollars and jobs away from San Leandro. What San Leandro voters don't approve of this same company's director threw a fundraiser for Diana Souza after taking jobs and millions away from our city.
What San Leandro voters don't approve of is flying the Chinese flag over city hall. Recall Benny Lee and don't vote for Souza for Mayor.
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Marga Lacabe you are a phony people can see them. Your husband is behind all that phonies NO WAY Mike Katz is done!
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Marga We know you are a phony. Your husband is the most phoniness behind it!
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Poke a hole on the ballot somewhere – here Mike Katz-Lacabe #4 choice.
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The one person defending Mike Katz's action, and there is only one, seems to forget Mike Katz was elected to represent San Leandro schools and our children. That was a reprehensible action on his part go on national television against our SLPD, the city, public safety.
Many care that Zocalo new owner Sara Ubelhart also a huge Oakland marijuana distributor gave large donationn $4900 to Pauline Cutter because a majority of voters in San Leandro disapprove of medical marijuana and it's distribution.
What they don't approve of is Mike Katz and Marga's disturbing opinions and telling San Leandro it's ok men having sex in the bathroom at Marina park What San Leandro voters don't approve Mike advocates that nothing wrong with adult having sex in a park bathroom that children use.
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Shame on our Vice Mayor Benny Lee telling Oakland it's OK if they take MILLIONS of dollars and jobs away from San Leandro.
Shame on Diana Souza for allowing this same company's director to throw a fundraiser for her after taking jobs and millions away from our city.
Shame on Diana Souza and Benny Lee for wanting to fly the Chinese flag over city hall. Don't vote for Souza for Mayor and recall Benny Lee.
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Mike Katz will lose choice #4
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Ur fucking crazy and Lacabe is too
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Lacabe pretend crazy taxpayers paying his/her mortgage. Mike Katz unless piece of waste.
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And here in the city of Alameda, the Central Committee endorsed Stewart Chen, convicted of insurance fraud, while the local club did not endorse. Chen was convicted as part of an insurance fraud ring when John Garimendi was commissioner. He still maintains he did not do anything wrong and blames his office staff. So what Chen is saying he was innocent but the rest of the ring was guilty. Yes it was 20 years ago but come on Mr. Chen, at least accept responsibility.
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Shame on our Vice Mayor Benny Lee telling Oakland it's OK if they take MILLIONS of dollars and jobs away from San Leandro.
Shame on Diana Souza for allowing this same company's director to throw a fundraiser for her after taking jobs and millions away from our city.
Shame on Diana Souza and Benny Lee for wanting to fly the Chinese flag over city hall. Don't vote for Souza for Mayor and recall Benny Lee.
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