By Mitch Lehman
A citywide mailer from an anonymous source and rumors of other alleged campaign fraud have sullied what had been a clean, if not contentious election for two seats on the San Marino City Council.
A letter from a group calling themselves the Committee to Elect Two New Councilmembers, the flier – written in both English and Chinese – attacks incumbents Dennis Kneier and Eugene Sun on the grounds of peace and order, mansionization and integrity, claiming that both candidates had supported term limits but are now violating that belief.
The letter goes so far as to suggest that a series of home burglaries in San Marino occurred “after the farmers market (Kneier pushed for) started and attracted outsiders” and that Eugene Sun has potential conflicts of interest as a realtor while the council “deals with real estate issues.”
City Clerk Veronica Ruiz said that election law requires committees who spend more than $1,000 must register a Form 410 with the Secretary of State.
“This organization has not registered,” Ruiz said on Wednesday.
She also mentioned that the city has filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Committee, which would take up and investigation or enforcement that follows.
The three challengers – Scott Kwong, Steve Talt and Dr. Steven Huang – defended themselves and their campaign staffs when asked by The Tribune for statements.
For the full story, see the print edition of the San Marino Tribune, or download the e-edition.090
