Political Whispers
By IE Business Daily
November 16, 2013
The abrupt resignation of State Senator Bill Emmerson (R-23) has created more electoral confusion in the Inland Empire. Less than a year into his four-year term, his announced departure also raises questions as to why he truly resigned. “Losing passion for the job” just doesn’t pass the smell test. We are certain that more information will “come out” per se as it always does in Sacramento.
Whatever the real reason for Emmerson’s departure, he has created a mess for his former constituents.
The vacancy creates another special election fiasco for voters with the Senate election likely to occur in March and a runoff in June. Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-40) has already announced his candidacy. Other potential candidates include San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos (D), Yucaipa Water Board Member Lonnie Granlund (R), former Beaumont Mayor Jan Leja (R), and some lesser known potential candidates.
Morrell clearly holds a strong advantage with nearly $250,000 in campaign funds on hand. Word on the street is that Emerson is openly supporting Granlund, who is also the divorced wife of former Assemblyman and lobbyist Brett Granlund. Leja has significant ties to Riverside County that could make her a viable candidate if she can raise the money necessary to run a campaign.
To read entire column, click here.
Wait a minute! What about the mayor of Upland Ray Musser? The holy one!
Leja viable?? Who’s desk has she been hiding under haven’t heard a thing about her in years. Why should she need to raise enough money she can just say she’s got it. I didn’t vote for her then and I won’t this time. I didn’t know you could run for office after being convicted of campaign finance crimes?
@2 my BS meter is pegging on you and your just a novice. Might you be David Ellis who is going to start his usual spin for the east side gang of thugs?
Repairman disappears, Questionable is suddenly here.
What makes you think I disappeared?
A quick name change and he is back. The magical keyboard.
Anonymous
How do I know your the real big “A” Anonymous? I find it Questionable.
If I was the real big “A” I would use a half page of meritless crap. Then ask you to listen to pink Floyd. Post a two year old blog entry to further impress you with my knowledge of current affairs.
Anonymous #7
That was great.
Anonymous #7
But wouldn’t that make you kind of a Poser? I mean using his name and all.
@3 Thank you (I think). For believing in my knowledge. I truly am an average Joe. Nice thing with google these days anyone can be an expert on anything. I just find this blog entertaining. I figure I have a right to my opinions like anyone else.
Morrell will very tough to beat. Given the timing of the Senate special, a strong candidate from the Tea Party has the best chance of replacing Morrell.
You sure do Questionable and we appreciate the
fact you decided to make your debut with Ms. Granlund.
@Wow, I haven’t picked her either. I picked this to comment because I have lived in the area for over 40 years and I care about it. I highly doubt Morrell and Granlund will be the only high profile candidates running we will have to wait and see who files. The governor hasn’t even called the election yet.
I guess Questionable doesn’t realize that roughly a third of the District is in Riverside County. Ignorance is bliss.
@14 I know where 1/3 of the district is I live in the Riverside county portion. I just don’t call her a viable candidate. She narrowly won for assembly when she had all of the support, we know how that went. Lost for supervisor, barely escaped a recall as Mayor of Beaumont. Got a complete beat down when she moved to Yucaipa and ran for a small school board race. When her opponents ask her where she’s been the last 13 years will her answer be I had to wait for my probation to be lifted before I could run for office again!!! I’m sure the GOP will spend a ton on Morrell, Granlund probably has personal money, how in any way would she do anything but embarrass herself in this race.
Questionable: She was cleared on all charges. You should get your facts straight.
Can’t wait till Brett Granlund serves the time he is due…LOL
@16 I guess on this board when it comes to campaign finance pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, to avoid prosecution as a felony is considered innocent!!! Forgot where I was.
Attorney General’s Office Reaches Agreement With Assemblywoman-Elect for the 65th District Over Campaign Finance Violations
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Friday, December 1, 2000
Contact: (415) 703-5837
(SACRAMENTO) – The California Attorney General’s Office has reached an agreement with Jan Leja, Assembly Member-elect for the 65th Assembly District, for her to plead guilty to two misdemeanor campaign finance reporting violations and not assume office.
Earlier this year, the Riverside County District Attorney and the Fair Political Practices Commission received reliable information about alleged violations of campaign finance reporting laws by Leja in 1999. The district attorney then referred the case to the Attorney General’s office for further investigation.
Over the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Leja willfully and knowingly filed false campaign finance statements that inflated reported contributions by more than $146,000 in 1999. The investigation also found that the false reports had the effect of dissuading other potential candidates from entering the race for the the 65th Assembly District. Specifically, Leja falsely reported a $50,000 loan from her husband that was never actually received; falsely reported $37,685 in non-itemized contributions (less than $100) that were never actually received; and, falsely reported $58,325 in itemized contributions (in excess of $100) that were never actually received. The evidence was gathered from search warrants, audits and interviews.
Pursuant to discussions with the Attorney General’s Office, Leja has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor violations of Government Code section 84211 [(a) failure to accurately report total amount of campaign contributions, and, (f) failure to accurately report total amount of loans] and to not assume office in the California State Assembly. Leja also has agreed to pay fines for the violations that will be set by the court.
The Attorney General’s office intends to file a formal complaint in Riverside Superior Court next week charging Leja with two misdemeanors and seek fines for each violation that can total as much as three times the amount the person failed to properly report. California law prohibits any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor violation of the Political Reform Act from running for any elective office or lobbying for a period of four years following the date of the conviction. The parties will ask the court to approve the agreement.
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I’d say the eastside boys better gather up some big money for Ms.Granlund. Get a little quid pro quo action going early.
Of course when the ship starts to burn, Ms.Granlund might get trampled by all those rats jumping ship.
@16 if there is an article that I am missing where her name was cleared please let me know. I would hate to not have my facts straight. I’m sure she is a nice enough frumpy housewife these days I just started in this because I was shocked anyone would call her viable?? I pointed out why she isn’t. The common response is but Brett Granlund, I’ve never said I support Granlund just I don’t support Leja.
lol at this article.
““Losing passion for the job” just doesn’t pass the smell test. We are certain that more information will “come out” per se as it always does in Sacramento.”
Um..what would that be IE Business Daily? Are they referring to the affair between Emmerson and Mimi Walters…allegedly?
Questionable #18:
On what basis did she “avoid prosecution as a felony?”
The story you have provided in comment #19 states that the Attorney General’s office intended to charge her with “two misdemeanors” for “knowingly” filing “false campaign finance statements that inflated reported contributions by more than $146,000.”
Perhaps you are confused with the felony charges the Attorney General filed against Neil Derry for allegedly laundering a single fully reported $5,000 campaign contribution.
Are you related to Repairman?
@23 you are right. I go by what I read and the LA times article says the AG’s office has come to an agreement. So one would assume that an agreement without a trial would mean it was plead down from a lessor charge. Again I may think a little different than you guys but even with my political dislike for Leja I’d like to see her in the race for the utter humiliation she will bring upon herself. I do know that I am no danger of ever being represented by her. She used to hang around elected officials looking for scraps of attention but I don’t even think she’s done that for a while. So I ask how and why does she come out as a viable candidate? But no answer!!
Funny how the press doesn’t write about the judicial decision to vacate huh Dave Ellis…lol
@22 you will cease and desist such perceptions, comments, and beliefs.
Word is ol Davey Ellis is getting some of that Grunland action. My bet is all his clients fall like domino’s. But for now, the boy is going to suck up as much cash as he can. Tic Tic Boom.
Sure is quiet, nobody will answer? The question asked why again is Leja a valid candidate? What has she done since her Assembly embarrassment to have anybody say she should run? Does she own a business? Serve on Any committees ? Does she even have a job?
Sorry I misspoke it never said felony. Interesting thing she had big support at that time, yet only was able to beat under funded no name Ray Quinto by 3% in the heavily republican district.
Winner in Assembly Race Agrees to Give Up Office
Courts: Jan Leja, a Republican, will plead guilty to campaign finance violations. A special election will be called to fill the seat.
December 02, 2000|DAN MORAIN and CARL INGRAM | TIMES STAFF WRITERS
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SACRAMENTO — A Republican who won an Assembly race in November agreed Friday to give up the Inland Empire seat and plead guilty to two misdemeanor campaign finance violations.
In an agreement with California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, Assemblywoman-elect Jan Leja, a former mayor of Beaumont, agreed not to be sworn in, leaving the seat vacant until Gov. Gray Davis calls a special election early next year.
The seat had been held by Brett Granlund (R-Yucaipa), who was forced to retire from the Assembly because of term limits. The district covers portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Leja agreed to plead guilty to charges to be filed next week in Riverside County. She faces fines to be set by the court.
A former aide to Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga, Leja broke the Fair Political Practices Act by filing false campaign finance reports, inflating her reported contributions by more than $146,000 in 1999 in an attempt to scare off challengers.
Leja acknowledged during the campaign that she had made false statements. On Friday, she said her decision to step down was “in the best interest of the citizens . . . myself and my family.” A protracted court battle “would ultimately jeopardize my children’s entire financial future.”
In her campaign reports, Leja falsely claimed that her husband had given her a $50,000 loan, that she had received $37,685 in donations of less than $100, and that she had received $58,325 in donations of more than $100, the attorney general’s office said in a statement.
Leja beat two Republican candidates in an expensive March 7 primary. The district has long been held by Republicans.
Candidates often boast about their campaign fund-raising success to dissuade candidates from running against them. It’s rare, however, for one to go so far as to break the law by falsifying documents. In 1982, former State Board of Equalization member Conway Collis was fined $15,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission for inflating his reports by $145,000.
Leja’s decision will leave Republicans with 29 seats in the 80-seat Assembly.
Leja defeated Democrat Ray R. Quinto on Nov. 7. The margin of victory was 47% to 43%.
Beware the new kingdom of Menifee.
Would appear Questionable has a bone to pick with Leja???
“Leja defeated Democrat Ray R. Quinto on Nov. 7. The margin of victory was 47% to 43%.”
I remember Ray Quinto; a very good and honorable man– he is everything
Joe Baca NEVER WAS OR COULD EVER BE!!!!!!!