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Adam Hill fined $2,500 for campaign violations

February 21, 2015
Adam Hill

Supervisor Adam Hill

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill was fined $2,500 on Thursday for failing to properly maintain campaign records during his 2012 bid for the District 3 seat, according to the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

A random audit conducted by the California Franchise Tax Board on all 2012 San Luis Obispo County Supervisor candidates last year revealed that Hill failed to timely report fifteen payments of $500 or more, totaling $68,058.73. The audit also determined that the campaigns of Frank Meacham, Ed Waage, Debbie Arnold and Jim Patterson prepared financial statements that were substantially accurate and complete.

In May 2012, Hill reported making payments totaling $60,220 to an advertising and public relations firm to use for television and radio advertising. He did not disclose, though, what advertising the firm purchased on his behalf as required by California election disclosure laws.

In addition, Hill’s campaign (respondents) had a prior enforcement action.

“On March 25, 2014, the enforcement division sent respondents a warning letter for failing to state the correct employer of the source of a contribution of $100 or more on a semiannual statement, in violation of Section 84211,” the stipulated order says.

Last year, developer Gary Grossman donated $1,000 to Hill in the same week that the supervisor attended a groundbreaking for one of Grossman’s Pismo Beach developments. But, Hill listed Grossman, the president of Coastal Community Builders, as retired on a campaign financial statement.

In March 2014, the FPPC sent a warning letter to Hill. Because of the misstatement, Hill was required to return Grossman’s $1,000 donation.

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I’m sorry, listing Gary Grossman as retired,

with all of the projects he has either in the works,

or in the queue is not an error.


It is an intentional, deliberate LIE.


This has gotten to be like a ping pong match- – screw up by Gibson, screw up by Hill, “mistake” by Gibson, “error” by Hill…


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Brings me great comfort in knowing he’s watching out for taxpayer funds.

(Sarcasm intended).


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Yeah, he’s “watching out for taxpayer funds”….for Hill and Torres to steal.


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Come on everyone, nothing to see here, it was just a “clerical error”…….


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Just some simple math for everyone:


15 payments of “more” than $500 for a total of $68,058.73.


So 68,058.73 ÷ 15 = $4,537.25


Unless I’m mis-reading something, it’s a LOT more than $500 for each one, I’d gather.


Of course, the truly sad part of this whole thing is that there were people willing to pay this shill of a sad-sack that much money. Wow… talk about aim low.


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Adam,

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.Your story will certainly be a short one.


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Pelican1,


We must give our fellow males a pass at times, because will all honesty, we were created from dirt before our Hebrew God blew into our nostrils in giving us life (Genesis 2:7).


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Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!

(Aretha 19:80)


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There you are, Ted! I have missed your wry wisdom.


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Big whoop. He cheats and all he gets is a slap on the wrist. Nothing new here, move along.


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FPPC Stipulation and Exhibit:

http://www.fppc.ca.gov/agendas/2015/2-15/14%20Hill%20-%20Stip%20and%20Exh.pdf


In the Matter of Adam Hill, Friends of Adam Hill, County Supervisor 2012, and Sharon A. McMahan, Treasurer; FPPC No. 14/595.

Staff: Commission Counsel Milad Dalju and Program Specialist Grant Beauchamp. In this matter, Respondents Adam Hill, Friends of Adam Hill, County Supervisor 2012, and Sharon A. McMahan as Treasurer, failed to timely report fifteen payments of $500 or more, totaling $68,058.73, made on Respondent Friends of Adam Hill, County Supervisor 2012’s behalf by Respondent Friends of Adam Hill, County Supervisor 2012’s agents or independent contractors during the March 18 through May 19, 2012, and May 20 through June 30, 2012, reporting periods, in violation of Government Code Sections 84200, subdivision (a), 84200.5, 84211, subdivision (k), and 84303 (1 count). Total Proposed Penalty: $2,500.


March 2014 Enforcement Letter:

http://fppc.ca.gov/enf_letter/04-07-14/ENF052.pdf


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Good work Kevin.

Sure glad he’s no longer Vice Chair of the Board. Imagine if he were chair next year; how embarrassing.


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I love this part of the stipulation and exhibit:


This matter was referred to the Fair Political Practices Commission (the Commission”) by the Franchise Tax Board (the “FTB”)


Way to go, Adam. On top of everything else, you’ve exposed yourself to “special attention” from the Franchise Tax Board.


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PERFECT,


Hill loves attention.


Let the FTB show he and his new bride some love.


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another example of integrity


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Good Grief….will Mr Hill’s supports please stand up and explain to me why he has earned and received your vote? It seems like every time I turn around there is more negative news out Mr Hill and it reflects poorly on SLO Voters that this guy is the best his district can come up with for elected office.


Mr Hill is a poster child for what is wrong with our political system.


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Because Rich his supporters are lefty true believers.


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Rich, the reason is simple, (even though PT Barnum was mis-credited with saying…”THERE IS A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE.”


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I made the mistake of voting for him in his initial run for Supervisor, so I will say that I thought that he might be slightly left of center on policy issues — particularly environmental issues. I wasn’t that far off on that but his arrogance and penchant for corruption were unknown to me at the time. I suspect that remained true for many of those who re-elected him last time around. Hopefully, that will change if he runs again but many voters do not look hard at the candidates and issues for which they vote.


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