Here's an update on Wednesday's Dark Money political attack on Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor by McManis Faulkner, Brian Exline SCU Law Student @bxline18, Patricia Mahan.

Santa Clarans saw through your BS, and are smart enough to see this was simply a nasty politically charged hit on Mayor Gillmor just like the BluPac attacks on City Council candidates in 2016.

Only the San Jose Murky News and soon to be published fake news by Carolyn Schuk and Miles Barber of the Santa Clara Weekly. Why is it that NO other news organization covered this story ?

Yesterday, a law firm with connections to the 49ers filed a frivolous lawsuit against Mayor Lisa Gillmor about how she files her economic interest forms.

Months ago, the firm was told by the District Attorney that there was no merit to their complaint.  Here’s what Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen wrote:  

“The Public Integrity Unit investigated whether income to Public Property Advisors was properly reported on Mayor Gillmor’s Forms 700. After reviewing documents, interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, and consulting an FPPC representative, we concluded that Ms. Gillmor properly reported the income.”

But they filed a lawsuit anyway -- just two weeks before the election when Mayor Gillmor is on the ballot.  

This reminds us of 2016 when the dark money group call BluPAC was sending negative mailers and text messages to Santa Clarans to try to buy our city council elections. The dark money group had numerous ties to the 49ers. The team would not deny their involvement in funding BluPAC.

Now, McManis Faulkner, a major San Jose law firm (with annual salaries of approx. $9.3M), is filing the lawsuit against Mayor Gillmor on behalf of Brian Exline -- a Santa Clara University law student.  It’s not believable that Mr. Exline is paying the firm. So who is? Is it the 49ers? McManis Faulkner recently worked on a project for Santa Clara City Council Member and former Mayor Patricia Mahan. Is this the equivalent of “dark money” being used in our judicial system?

Let’s hope the true source of funding is uncovered. Above all, let’s hope that voters reject someone using a frivolous lawsuit right before the election. I think they will and Mayor Gillmor will enjoy a big victory on election night.

Burt Field
Stand Up for Santa Clara

Santa Clara, CA – San Jose Mercury News reporter Ramona Giwargis published a story today with false accusations and claims that Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gilmor is using the City’s PR Firm without authorization. '

Let’s clarify the facts.

1. The entire City Council approved a motion to hire Banner Public Relations to help communicate important city initiatives to our community. The reason the City Council decided to hire an external PR Firm was due to their struggle to get accurate and truthful news out to Santa Clara residents.
2. Mayor Gillmor is a spokesperson identified to represent the City of Santa Clara like the other Council Members – all are spokespeople that need to engage with the PR Firm for media training and interview preparation.
3. The City Attorney reviewed the meeting notes between Mayor Gillmor and the PR Firm and found no violation of the city charter.

Read More...

Santa Clara City Council Members Patricia Mahan and Dominic Caserta have flipped-flopped on the Levis Stadium 10pm weekday curfew. Back in 2010, Patricia Mahan was the Santa Clara Mayor and Dominic Caserta was a Santa Clara City Council Member. They both voted in support of the Levis Stadium 10pm weekday curfew. Read More...

Watch our press conference video to understand how we believe the San Francisco 49ers are secretly laundering money to influence the local 2016 Santa Clara Political Election.

Blupacus.org is a 501c4 Political Action Committee set-up by Douglas Chan in 2015. Their website endorses Patricia Mahan, John McLemore, Ahmad Rafah, Dr. Mohammed Nadeem, Police Chief Mike Sellers and Rod Diridron Jr. (removed last week). Blupac is trying to discredit Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, City Council Members Debi Davis & Kathy Watanabe, and city council candidate Tino Silva. They are attacking Mayor Gillmor for leading an independent financial audit into Measure J even through she is not even running for re-election. 

A smear campaign started by a pro-49er organization trying to discredit Mayor Lisa Gillmor , Kathleen Watanabe, Tino Silva and Debi Davis. All have fought to protect the rights of Santa Clara residents. Blupacus.org or Citizens for Economic Council or some PAC bought the Santa Clara voter file and now using your address, email, home phone and cell phone number to spam you and try and convince you to vote for Patricia Mahan, John McLemore, Ahmad Rafah and Dr. Mohammed Nadeem. They are using: rob calls, fake political phone survey, text messages, Google ads and direct mail. Please tell your family and neighbors about this smear campaign.

September 28, 2016 - Breaking News: Patty Mahan Illegally Lobbied City Officials to Build More Billboards in Santa Clara

Report from City Independent Investigator: “I conclude Ms. Mahan engaged in lobbying within the meaning of the Lobbying Ordinance when she met with various City officials on AllVision’s (billboard company) behalf, and that she was not exempt from registration as a lobbyist under the attorney exemption.”

Patty Mahan Violated Lobbyist Rules But Will She Be Fined?

Patty Mahan illegally lobbied city officials, but the investigator recommends that she should not be fined because Mahan thought she was acting as an attorney.  Really? She served 20 years as the Mayor and City Council member and she doesn't know when she acted as a lobbyist.

Reported from the San Jose Mercury News on August 25, 2016 by Ramona Giwargis

Santa Clara city officials say they’ll hire an attorney to investigate claims that former mayor and City Council candidate Patty Mahan violated the city’s new lobbying ordinance.

The complaint against Mahan has political undertones. It came from Deborah Bress, who’s running for city clerk against Rod Diridon, Jr.and who has been a sharp critic of the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium project which Mahan had supported.

Mahan is accused of not registering as a lobbyist despite meeting with city officials to discuss a billboard company’s contract.

Stand Up for Santa Clara has been asked to support an effort to promote openness and honesty at Santa Clara City Hall. We’d like to know what you think before we take a position. Read the article in the San Jose Insider for background on this issue.

On November 8, Santa Clara voters will determine who runs City Hall. In a Mercury News story, one City Council candidate, Patty Mahan, thinks the city needs to do more for the team.  

“Mahan said the city hasn't always been fair to the Niners”

We want to know if you agree.

The 49ers want to unilaterally reduce their rent and they don’t want to comply with the city’s noise ordinance protecting neighborhoods. How should the city deal with team on these issues and others?

Please take a moment to answer the survey below.

Stand Up for Santa Clara will be tracking candidates to determine who is being recruited and financed by the 49ers either directly or indirectly through independent expenditures. Please share our information on Twitter and Facebook so we can shine a light on this election.