Complaint over Calabasas city councilman goes to state agency

Complaint over Calabasas city councilman
goes to state agency
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

Calabasas resident Eric D. Jenson recently filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding past actions of Calabasas City Councilman Dennis Washburn. Jenson wouldn’t comment on the complaint while Washburn said it’s a political attack against him because he’s seeking reelection next Tuesday. FPPC officials wouldn’t speak about the matter, they said, because the investigation is incomplete.

Jenson’s complaint alleges that Washburn—on several occasions—should’ve declined to vote on appropriations of money that went from the city to the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce. The chamber employs Washburn’s wife and that’s a conflict of interest, the document said.

"This has been threatened for a long time," Washburn said. A previous accusation went nowhere, he said. Because he’s running for reelection, Washburn said, he suspects that he’s the target of a smear campaign.

Andy Domek of the FPPC confirmed that the allegations are under investigation, but he wouldn’t speculate on their legitimacy.

According to FPPC rules, its enforcement division has a "longstanding policy of responding to each and every written complaint that is properly submitted."

Domek declined to disclose any information about the investigation. The FPPC is empowered, he said, to acquire additional documents and interview witnesses—including the person alleged to have violated the law—and it can issue subpoenas.

A complete investigation and resolution of a complaint can take months or—in rare cases—years, Domek said.

FPPC rules state that status reports on any investigation cannot be disclosed to anyone, including the complainant, including the general public and media, until the case is closed.

Jenson said the complaint wasn’t a slam on Washburn, but rather information he wanted the public to know about.

Calabasas voters will go to the polls next Tues., March 4.

Calabasas records show that Washburn didn’t step aside while the council approved funds for the chamber. He voted in favor of approving or against reducing the allotments on June 20, 2001, July 10, 2001 and July 17, 2002.

During a vote to give money to the chamber last summer, Washburn stepped aside and didn’t participate in voting.

Jenson’s document cited other incidents in which Washburn allegedly approved funds for disbursement to the chamber. It’s not uncommon for cities to help fund the activities of chambers of commerce.

Ultimately, the FPPC will decide if Washburn has broken the law.

Washburn said he’s not worried about the complaint. Washburn and the city of Calabasas have supported the chamber since the city incorporated in 1991, he said. Washburn’s wife didn’t join the chamber until January 2000.