The Stockton City Council should require campaign consultants to disclose which politicians they support, and how much they're being paid to do so, the San Joaquin County grand jury recommended in June.
The push in the grand jury's report for transparency surrounding consultants arose from its investigation into 209 Times, a social media platform owned by a Stockton campaign consultant. People linked to 209 Times have used the platform to intimidate officials in an attempt to get their way at city hall, the grand jury said.
"Individuals utilizing a (social media platform) have consistently attempted to undermine the local democratic process by misleading the Stockton electorate and attempting to affect election results through unethical influence," the grand jury said.
209 Times belongs to Motecuzoma Sanchez, a former member of several city commissions who also owns two Stockton-based political consulting companies, according to the grand jury.
Sanchez has sometimes presented 209 Times as a news outlet. Other times, he's said it isn't. What is clear is that has financial ties to candidates in races 209 Times has posted about.
In the 2020 election cycle, California Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua's campaign paid 209 Times $800, campaign finance records show. During the 2022 cycle, Councilmember Michele Padilla's campaign accrued an $8,000 bill with one of Sanchez' consulting companies, records show.
News industry codes of conduct warn journalists against engaging in political activities and accepting payments that could compromise the impartiality of their reporting.
Sanchez says there's a "firewall" between 209 Times' posts and his paid gigs with politicians, the LA Times reported.
What's more, Sanchez' platform allegedly floods public servants' inboxes with emailed abuse and demands, the grand jury said.
"City staff feel continually harassed when individuals associated with (209 Times) bombard them with hundreds of emails, messages, and letters that include personal attacks and demeaning accusations," the grand jury said.
Sanchez gave no direct answer when asked in an interview with KCRA if he harasses perceived opponents.
When emailed for comment, the consultant said amid a 750-word response, "None of you or some (expletive) new requirement will stop me from destroying everything you pieces of (expletive) touch and represent by exposing the truth of who and what you devils are."
Should consultants register with the city?
In its report, the grand jury advised the Stockton City Council to create rules for political consultants similar to those San Francisco voters passed nearly two decades ago.
"There is a way to get that information, but it's a hassle," John Kimbrough, foreperson of the 2023-24 Grand Jury, said Friday. "The policy makes it clearer."
Under San Francisco's 1997 law, anyone paid $1,000 or more a year to consult for a campaign must:
- Register annually with the city's ethics commission, and give the commission quarterly updates;
- Name which politicians the consultant took money from over the past three months, and how much if it was $500 or more;
- Disclose which politicians they donated to over the past three months —individually or at a client's request — and any donations they facilitated that were worth $100 or more;
- Report gifts to local officials worth $50 or more.
The law defines compensation broadly as "fees, commissions, reimbursements for expenses, gifts, or anything else of value."
But support for new transparency rules for consultants isn't always guaranteed.
When San Francisco passed its law, some consultants refused to sign the voluntary code of conduct included in it, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The American Association of Political Consultants also has its own ethics code, which it requires members to sign each year, according to its website.
Tenets include "(refraining) from false or misleading attacks on an opponent," honoring clients' confidential information and documenting how clients' funds are spent, according to the organization's website.
When asked, Sanchez didn't say directly whether he'd support or oppose a policy like San Francisco's in Stockton. "That won’t affect me or 209 Times at all," he said.
"In regards to political consultants being required to register and disclose who their clients are, that purpose already exists with the (California Fair Political Practices Commission). All candidates are required to disclose payments made to or received from consultants," he said.
The FPPC requires candidates to document spending through their official campaign committees, which can include payments to consultants. It doesn't require consultants to proactively identify their clients.
Stockton has no local rules for consultants beyond what the FPPC requires. "I am not aware of any existing city rules, regulations, etc. that cover campaign consultant disclosures or are akin to the SF policy," City Attorney Lori Asuncion said.
The Stockton City Council must respond to the grand jury report within 90 days. It's unclear if the council will adopt the grand jury's recommendations.
Record reporter Aaron Leathley covers government accountability. She can be reached at aleathley@recordnet.com or on Twitter @LeathleyAaron. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
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