Watchdog investigating 2019 China vacation built by prime Milpitas mayor prospect
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The point out watchdog in charge of enforcing marketing campaign finance guidelines has opened an investigation against the prime contender in the Milpitas mayoral race in excess of a journey she took to China in 2019.
The probe by the Reasonable Political Practices Fee facilities about a $3,600 present that Vice Mayor Carmen Montano approved through the China vacation and later on reported to point out authorities, according to a copy of the complaint. The grievance alleges that Montano violated journey policies and procedures bordering lobbying.
Montano did not right away react to a ask for for remark. A previous university instructor and longtime Milpitas resident, Montano’s campaign has soared ahead in fundraising for the city’s prime seat. Whilst two other councilmembers are also vying to be mayor, Montano has the endorsement of present-day Mayor Loaded Tran, whose help remains hugely influential in the metropolis of 80,000.
Investigations by the FPPC can get years and outcome in fines amounting to tens of hundreds of bucks. Montano’s council colleague, Anthony Phan, was recently located to have violated multiple marketing campaign finance rules and was fined $15,000 immediately after he hired his 14-calendar year-old cousin as his treasurer. That probe started out in June 2017 and concluded in Might. It also has sparked variations at the condition degree encompassing age needs for marketing campaign positions.
FPPC spokesperson Jay Wierenga declined to remark on the investigation from Montano.
In accordance to Montano’s 2020 Statement of Financial Interest, regarded as the Form 700, a doc required by every single elected general public formal in the state, the councilmember acknowledged the $3,600 gift from Dr. William Wang of Chino for “educational and cultural trade.”
Montano wrote on the kind that she “observed new training strategies” for her education small business, Group Lecture rooms. The councilmember says in April 2019 she toured the “No. 1 middle school” dependent in Wuzhi, a county in China’s Henan province.
The FPPC complaint, filed by Milpitas resident Chris Martin, alleges that Montano violated the $520 cap for gifts approved by community officials.
Although the rule has a range of exceptions, these as if the money is from a household member or built from a speech, Martin’s grievance contends that Montano’s 2019 present doesn’t drop into any of the those categories. The criticism also alleges that Montano’s correct intent for touring to China was for the “13th China (Henan) Global Financial investment and Trade Honest,” which he suggests isn’t linked to schooling.
Pictures from the trip show that Montano was also joined by other California officers, including Duarte Town Councilmember Samuel Kang, Huron Mayor Rey León and Merced County Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa.
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