Editorial: Riverside County has deep Republican roots and this conservative stronghold seems to be a thorn in Govenor Jerry Brown’s side.

Therefore, it was not a surprise when Washington, a Democrat was appointed by Brown to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors’ 3rd District seat on March 4, 2015. Washington was appointed to serve out Jeff Stone’s unexpired term. Stone, a republican was elected to state Senate. Brown had under state law the authority to fill the position.

Appointing the opposite party to the seat left vacant felt like a jab from Brown to many voters.

Washington, is not new to local politics, he is a Navy veteran who served as mayor in Temecula and Murrieta. He served in Murrieta from 1995 to 1999. In 2003, he was elected to Temecula city council.

Washington is running Tuesday against Shellie Milne a fiscal conservative who claims she will be business friendly.

If Washington wins the 3rd District seat, it could give Brown and the democrats the vital seat they need to plant roots in the conservative soil.

Although the role of supervisor is supposed to be non-partisan Washington has been called Browns’ “water boy” by some in the Republican Party.

Washington, until around July 21 2016, according to public record had a financial interest in wine country. This meant this section of the county was facing taxation without representation most of Washington’s term. During his tenure serving in the 3rd District, he was told by legal counsel that he and his staff could not make any decisions in wine country.  

Washington had to sell his interest in Europa Winery in order to represent wine country as a supervisor.  Despite his recent transfer of ownership, it has been brought to our attention that an investigation has taken place into a series of situations where Washington’s lack of transparency is in question with possible conflicts of interest.

The questionable voting record dates back to 2011 but the most recent situation is from a public hearing on July 12, 2016 where Riverside County supervisors discussed a proposed change in zoning to the general plan amendment.

At the meeting, Supervisor Chuck Washington spoke in favor of a plan to change the zoning in an un-incorporated area of Riverside County near Menifee.  It has been discovered through public record that Washington should have recused himself from the hearing. 

This alleged conflict of interest prompted a further investigation into Washington and what he has voted on in the past dating back to his time served on Temecula’s city council.

It appears from city records and video recordings that Washington has a pattern of voting and discussing projects where he has had a personal financial interest in the outcome.

There is also a growing appearance of cronyism running rampant around Washington. With people, seeking opportunities to line their own pockets at the expense of the taxpayers in the 3rd District and possibly the county as a whole. 

Is there a conflict of interest at a public hearing with county supervisors?

An application was filed for an amendment to the Riverside County General Plan by Joseph Rivani. The land is owned according to the public filing by James Lytle, JVRL 220, LLC and Uebersetzig Trust.

The change in zoning was proposed to modify the land from low-density rural residential 2- acre minimum, to medium density to be compatible with the future adjacent high school.  The change in zoning would allow a proposed community park with joint use with the future high school facilities.

James Lytle is also the managing director of the Rancon Group Investment Opportunities. Lytle according to his online job description on the Rancon Group web page says he helps formulate offerings, create market strategies for partners and investors. He has played major roles in forming partnerships and investment offerings including Europa Village, a $7-million project.

Lytle also made a campaign contribution to Washington under his corporation name JVRL-220, for $100 on April 15, 2016. This is the same name of the property owner of the land on the application for a land zone change.

Supervisor Washington had ownership in Europa Village Winery at the time which is situated in the third district. The district Washington was appointed to and is running for office.

Is it an arms-length transaction when the LLC is someone who is in business with Washington?  It can be argued all day long about land density but the legal issue is what is in question.

Washington’s public campaign records also show Rivani, who filed for the application for the zoning change has made a series of small donations to Washington.

Rivani’s contributions to the political campaign are in various amounts under various corporation names.

1. 1BH1 LLC    $750
2. BELLACAP LLC  $1,000
3. GID CAMPANILE LLC $250
4. GID MENIFEE LLC $250
5. GID MONTERREY LLC $250
6. GID MORENO VALLEY $250
7. GID PALM DESERT $250
8. GLOBAL INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT LLC $250
9. GLOBAL INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT LLC $500
10. MH 284 LLC $750
11. On agenda item 8, Balloon and Wine Festival, Washington abstained because of a conflict but did not disclose the name of the business. There was a vague reason given for abstaining but according to the video it was transparent.
12. On agenda item 13, Balloon and Wine Festival, Washington abstained stating his business does work for the festival but he did not disclose the name of his business. He also said he purchased a business in 2011 but he bought it in 2010. This is documented in city council meeting videos.
13.  Washington, a former U.S. Navy Pilot had a private pilot license allowing to fly Rancon executives for business trips.
14.  The city of Temecula purchasing property related to Rancon while Washington was serving as mayor with stake with Rancon.  
15. Washington while acting as county supervisor voted to hire a medical center CEO several days before the job posting expired.

Is there an appearance of deception between Lytle and Rivani by contributing to Washington’s campaign using their corporation names and small dollar amounts?

The public hearing on July 12 was item 16-1 titled, Transportation and Land Management Agency Planning. The land was zoned for Estate Density Residential with a two-acre minimum. The proposed amendment will turn that land to Community Development: Medium Density Residential with five units per acre. It will also change the road designation around the property from a secondary highway to a collector road. Other land change would be from five-acre minimum to residential with 511 homes. The project is located northerly of Wickerd Road, easterly of Heinz Lane, southerly of Garbani Road, and westerly of Brandon Lane in the Winchester Zoning – Sun City / Menifee Valley Area Plan, 3rd District.

Current property owners ride their horses around this area and of the development moves forward the roads will be unsafe for equestrian use.

It is unusual for a school to have land bought first and then homes built to accommodate the school.

Buying land for a school with zero funding for the school and no need for the school at the moment is questionable. To change the zoning of the land around the school to create a need for the school is in question. To have landowners and developers with financial ties to an elected official who can vote to change the zoning for a financial gain is creating a conflict of interest.

The project if fully developed is said to place a heavy traffic burden in and around the city of Menifee.

Washington not only did not recuse himself from the application for change in zoning application he said on record at the July 12, 2016 meeting that has met with Mike Naggar, to discuss the change.

Mike Naggar is a paid consultant to act on behalf of developers to get entitlements. Naggar is representing Lytle on the proposed change in zoning with Naggar and Associates.

Is Naggers’ day game a direct conflict in his position as Mayor of Temecula? These questions need to be asked. Who is watching our local politicians and their wheeling and dealings? Who is watching developers as they try to buddy up with the politicians? Who is protecting the taxpayers in the county? Whose interest in coming first?

The opposition also met with Washington according to Dennis Tuffin a resident who lives in the area being discussed.

Tuffin said he represents “Rural Residents and Friends,” a group of 60 members.

“Rural Residents and Friends,” question the need for the 511 homes instead of 35 to be developed for the school, citing that Paloma High School is surrounded by rural lots.

Tuffin said the change in zoning allows the applicant and the school district to receive funding upfront so it is natural that both are campaigning for the change.

“It is for their economic interest not what is best for the county,” said Tuffin.

Does Washington understand that it is important ethically to avoid the appearance of impropriety? However, how can he not understand when there was a direct link to between his ownership at Europa Village, and the players in the proposed land zone change between Rivani, Lytle and Naggar?

Is it legal?

Washington’s Conflict of Interest with Temecula City Council

Washington had a financial stake in Europa Village Winery during his time on city council and owned  California T’s Screenprinting and Embroidery, Inc. the DBA of Mittry & Washington Enterprises, LLC.

Action minutes for Temecula City Council on Feb 25, 2014 FPPC and government code 1090 violations may have been violated.  City Attorney Thorson admonished then council member Washington to acknowledge the name of the business he has an interest and his reason to abstention related to the Balloon and Wine Festival.

Videos were found in 2011, 2012 and 2013 that Washington did not detail any reason for his abstention and he did not mention his business name in those years 2011 to 2013. Washington was not admonished in the past, however legally the burden does not fall under the city attorney.

At the same meeting on Feb. 25, 2014, agenda item 7, Temecula Reality Rally, a fundraiser for Michelle’s Place, Washington did not abstain or mention conflicts of interest. However, Washington did vote in favor of the consent calendar on the council meeting. Washington’s involvement with Realty Rally is documented by Realty Rally’s list of sponsors listing California T’s at the top of the page for making all the t-shirts for the rally.

Washington did not file in 2014 Form 700 a statement of economic interest according to California Fair Political Practices Commission or FPPC.

In 2013, on April 9, with Mayor Michael Naggar presiding, the following FPPC and government code 1090 may have been violated:

Section 1090 means that “No man may serve two masters.” This law dates back to 1851 and it has almost remained unchanged. It bans a public official from having a financial interest in a contract in both the official’s public and private capacities.

In 2012, at the Feb. 28 city council meeting in Temecula, Washington was presiding as Mayor. The following FPPC and government code 1090 may have been violated:

Other actions by Washington also give an appearance for possible further violations such as:

The 3rd District Supervisorial seat is an important elected position. There is no room for taxation without representation. Nor is there room for representation that is not transparent or ethical. The taxpayers land, businesses, and homes are at stake.

Wine country is a unique part of the county than cannot be replaced once it is gone. Preserving the regions economic powerhouse and unique environment should be a top priority.