District 6 Trustee Candidate RYAN DACK tags opponent James Wright for campaign finance violation

Ryan Dack

     Earlier today, I was contacted by SOCCCD trustee candidate (district 6) Ryan Dack, who apprised me of his efforts looking into the campaign finances of his opponent, James Wright. Dack asserts that Wright is in violation of campaign finance law, for he received a contribution of over $2,000 from the South Orange County Community College District Faculty Association (the district faculty union) sometime in July/August but never filed a form 460. 

     The filing of form 460 is required by state law and the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) when a candidate receives a contribution of over $2,000. Wright only filed a form 470, which indicated that he would not raise over $2,000. 

     Here’s that document: 

     And here’s the FPPC’s official wording on when a Form 460 must be filed: 

Wright

The Form 460 is for use by all recipient committees, including: Candidates, Officeholders and Their Controlled Committees. 

[This form is for]…A candidate or officeholder who has a controlled committee, or who has raised or spent or will raise or spend $2,000 or more during a calendar year in connection with election to office or holding office. The Form 460 is also required if $2,000 or more will be raised or spent during the calendar year at the behest of the officeholder or candidate. [See California Form 460] 

     Dack says he recognizes that this is no great shakes. Still, he believes “that our public servants should be transparent about where their money comes from.” He doesn’t believe that Wright’s violation was malicious. On the other hand, “at the very least we should expect competency from our elected officials when it comes to things like campaign finance.”

     According to Dack, at this point, Wright’s form 460 is over 80 days late and he’ll face a penalty.

SOCCCD trustee area 6