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A recent CalMatters analysis found that investigations by the Fair Political Practices Commission, California’s campaign watchdog, can take years, and in some cases, the politicians being investigated may not win elections or hold office. Sometimes it is resolved only after stepping down, and some voters end up filling out their ballots without knowing anything and scrutinizing the candidate’s character.
When we started reporting on this case, we started with a direct question. “How long does it take for the commission to resolve a case?” The answer was not easy to find.
data collection
Throughout our investigation, we filed nine public records requests and analyzed more than 3,000 pages of documents, including former and current commissioners and employees, ethics advocates, state and local election officials, and those who filed complaints. We spoke with a total of 25 people, including committee.
Collection of case data
First, we filed a Public Records Act request with the committee. We asked for data on all cases resolved through January 1, 2024. This includes incident details and when each incident started and ended. We also asked about unresolved cases at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, to double-check that data, we also compared records request results with data analysis of open and closed cases downloaded directly from the commission’s case search portal.
Data we collect:
Records Request Database: A database of open and closed cases received from the Commission in response to public records requests. The earliest recorded case is from 2002. The next oldest one opened in 2009. We narrowed the database to include only cases opened since 2017. (See Incorrect Case End Date and Data Discrepancies from 2016 onwards). Downloaded Database: A database of case information compiled based on available data in the Commission’s own case search portal. We used this information to cross-reference our records request database, but found too many deficiencies to rely on the data. (See “Restrictions and Commission Response.”)
However, due to all the discrepancies I noticed in both databases, I decided to rely less on detailed statistics and use it primarily as a reference guide. We used the records request database only from 2017 onward to calculate case duration. We matched the Commission’s search portal, agendas, and reports with records request databases for specific case information.
We then used the records request database to analyze the time it took to resolve each case by calculating the number of days between the date the case was opened and the date it was closed.
Collection of documents and statistics
We reviewed thousands of pages of documents and hours of meeting footage to paint a more accurate picture of the commission’s enforcement activities. We also reviewed committee executive staff reports, case enforcement records, committee meetings and agendas, staff memos, proposed budget changes, and legislative reports.
The Commission will publish caseload and case resolution statistics, including the number of warning letters and fines issued each year, in its annual report and executive staff report, and will present them at each Commission meeting.
Investigate specific cases
We filed six public records requests seeking documents related to specific cases involving state and local officials, including details of public investigations into Gov. Gavin Newsom, Insurance Secretary Ricardo Lara, and Attorney General Rob Bonta. This request was made to both the committee and politicians. For example, the committee sent us documents regarding Newsom’s ongoing investigation into late payment reports that the governor’s office has refused to share.
In the case of former Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan, we used documents received from the commission to assess how it took six years to resolve the case, based on documents received from the commission. Created a timeline for communication between. We have access to his bank records and the commission’s records for certain details, including advertising the movie “Daddy’s Home 2” and posting hangouts with him on the day the subpoena server attempted to contact him. interactions were cross-referenced with social media posts. The committee’s investigation concluded that the Friends’ expenses were paid for with campaign funds.
Survey results
Survey period
We found that cases that take longer to resolve skew the average. A total of 15% of cases resolved during that period took more than two years to resolve, with the longest taking almost seven years, according to an analysis of records request databases. .
