A lavish night out at a Hollywood nightclub costing over $1,000, a $1,316 expense at a steakhouse in Los Angeles, and a $4,500 experience at a Dodgers game were all financed with campaign funds by Isaac Galvan, a former Compton City Council member, according to an investigation by a state agency. Throughout Galvan’s nine-year tenure on the city council, he frequently misused campaign donations for personal expenses, maintained poor financial records, and neglected to disclose both donors and expenditures accurately or promptly.
The investigation, conducted by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), spanned six years, allowing Galvan to be re-elected twice before his violations were publicly revealed in July 2022. During the inquiry, he ignored filing deadlines, allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme leading to his indictment, and was removed from office by a judge in May 2022 owing to election fraud. As lifelong Compton resident Gilda Blueford expressed, the prolonged investigation kept voters in the dark, raising concerns that had they been informed, Galvan may not have retained his position.
California’s campaign watchdog has often dealt with significant backlogs causing delayed resolutions—whether uncovering violations or clearing politicians—sometimes only happening after they left office or were voted in. State Senator Steve Glazer articulated concerns that if the FPPC fails to act swiftly against evident abuses, it risks appearing ineffective in its watchdog role.
As of late last week, 20 candidates on the November ballot, out of 305 running for various offices, have outstanding cases against them. Additionally, two constitutional officers in California, Governor Gavin Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, are currently under investigation for alleged late filings and questionable campaign contributions, respectively, even after winning elections amid these inquiries. Records indicate that seven of the eight top constitutional officers have previously faced various campaign-related violations.
Established by California voters in a 1974 ballot measure after the Watergate scandal, the FPPC has managed campaign and ethical violations for half a century. The challenges with backlogs have been long-standing, with some historical complaints related to staff acknowledging problems persisting for at least two decades. In recent years, the commission’s caseload has fluctuated, peaking in April 2020 with 1,874 unresolved cases. A significant percentage of cases resolved between 2017 and 2023 took longer than two years, highlighting ongoing enforcement issues.
In an effort to improve efficiency, the FPPC has added staff, initiated educational programs for political candidates, and streamlined the handling of minor violations. As per commission Chairperson Adam E. Silver, new policies have been introduced to reduce the case backlog significantly, but concerns remain that expediting closures may result in more leniency toward violators. Last year, the commission issued the lowest penalties in a decade while frequently opting for warning letters in place of fines, sparking debate among ethics advocates about the effectiveness of this strategy.
Galvan, who marked a significant point for diversity as the first Latino on the Compton City Council, has left behind a legacy marred by numerous violations, according to both state and court documents. His failure to file disclosures before his 2013 election led to fines, and despite this, he continued to breach regulations, stopping entirely from filing disclosures by 2017. Over $55,000 raised between 2013 and 2017 was misappropriated for personal use, even documented through social media posts showcasing questionable spending.
Throughout the investigation, Galvan proved elusive, missing appointments and subpoenas as his case dragged on. Ultimately, he faced fines amounting to $240,000 in 2022; however, as of October, no payments had been received by the commission. The investigation initially opened in February 2016, with various delays attributed to Galvan’s extensive violations and lack of responsiveness.
The lengthy nature of Galvan’s case and similar examples have cultivated frustration among civic leaders, with Council member Andre Spicer noting that such delays dishearten public confidence in the judicial system. Delays have resulted in a recurring narrative where officials often vacate their posts or gain reelection before cases against them are concluded.
High-profile figures like Governor Newsom are under scrutiny for late disclosures concerning substantial behested payments. Reports indicate failures to present multiple payments totaling over $14 million timely, which are supposed to be disclosed as per state law. Similarly, Lara’s case involves allegations of laundering campaign donations, stemming from a convoluted array of transactions made during his oversight of the insurance industry.
Compounding these cases is the historical backlog faced by the FPPC. Though the agency has made strides in addressing its processes, implementing educational programs, and adding staff, critics argue that a more robust enforcement strategy is necessary to restore faith in the electoral framework. Lack of timely action has led to perceptions of “justice denied” and raised concerns about the efficacy of compliance enforcement relating to public trust.
Ongoing discussions highlight the need for systematic improvements amid a constant struggle against chronic understaffing and resource limitations, although both budgets and personnel have seen increases over time. Legislative attempts to establish enforcement deadlines have faced roadblocks, leaving many frustrated constituents yearning for accountability within this public oversight body. Each delay not only alters public perceptions of elected officials but also shapes the electoral landscape overall, creating a cycle of mistrust that could undermine future participation in democratic processes.