Episode 27 - Election Controversy and Conflict of Interest Appointment

Description:

The North State Breakdown attended the "Election's Task Force" a so-called citizens election group and made some interesting discoveries. We also discuss the Appointment of interim director Wyatt Paxton and his controversial history with the Shasta County Resource Management department.

Transcript:

Welcome to North State Breakdown with Benjamin Nowain. Today, we’re discussing an event that took place on September 8, 2024, where a seemingly public Election Task Force meeting raised red flags about election interference right here in Shasta County. I will also be discussing the controversial appointment of Wyatt Paxton as the interim director to Shasta County’s resource management department and exploring the deep cronyism behind the decision to choose him for the position.

On September 4th, official looking flyers were circulated at an event at Bethel Church for a screening of the film “A Letter to the American Church”. In the flier there was official looking information regarding the Shasta County Board of Supervisors and the Elections commission. At the bottom was an invitation to what was called the election task force. 

So, as a private citizen, I decided to attend the 'Election Task Force' meeting, which is presumably aimed at addressing concerns around election integrity. Since the flier for the event insinuated that it was a public gathering, open to those interested in ensuring fair and transparent elections. It was scheduled for Sunday, 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the local library, followed by a prayer group. This, on the surface, seemed like a nonpartisan effort to safeguard our democratic processes. However, things quickly took a turn."

"Running the meeting was none other than Laura Hobbs, the failed District 2 candidate, who continues to insist that there was cheating in her election. In fact, Hobbs currently has a lawsuit against Alan Long and Cathy Darling Allen, despite the fact that the election was certified, and Long is set to take office in January. Hobbs, along with other election deniers at the meeting, presented themselves as concerned citizens, but their actions told a different story.

They discussed confirming voter registration information, implying they were using this data to control the election outcome. Where did this registration information come from? While election data is publicly available for campaign use, Hobbs is no longer a candidate. California Election Code Section 2194 strictly limits how voter data can be used, and this group’s activities may be violating those laws. If Hobbs shared the voter rolls she procured, how could this be legal?"

Bev Gray, while not in attendance at this meeting, is also involved with this group, which is another cause for concern. Gray is already under scrutiny for her misleading radio ad that claimed to represent the Shasta County Elections Commission and directed people to a private phone number to report ballot irregularities. That ad violated California Elections Code Section 18370, and could lead to federal election interference charges and is currently under investigation by the secretary of state. District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones denied that he paid for the ad, but KQMS confirmed that Jones fort, which is owned by Jones, was billed for the commercial. 

What made this situation even more alarming was the presence of Patty Plumb, one of the election commissioners for Shasta County. This group was supposed to be a civilian-led organization, unaffiliated with any official government authority. So why was an election commissioner involved in what appeared to be an effort to influence voter registration? This raises significant conflict-of-interest concerns.

Under California Government Code Section 87100, public officials are prohibited from using their positions to make decisions that could result in personal or political gain. By participating in a meeting discussing voter registration efforts while serving as an election commissioner, Plumb's actions could be seen as crossing legal boundaries. Section 91000 further outlines penalties for public officials who misuse their authority, and Plumb’s involvement with the group, who is purportedly producing “official-looking” documents suggests an attempt to lend an air of authority to these actions, even though the group clearly does not have the legal authority to validate voter information.

Plumb along with the Election task force may have violated California Penal Code Section 529, which forbids impersonation or false representation of authority. While we were assured that they would introduce themselves as civilians, Plumb risks being implicated in what could be considered a fraudulent attempt to interfere with voter registration processes. This not only puts her position as an election commissioner into question but also undermines public trust in the electoral system she is supposed to safeguard.

Her involvement in these activities, which walk a fine line between civilian action and official interference, raises serious legal and ethical issues, further muddying the supposed non-partisan stance of the group.

"This group, the “Elections Task force” which claims to stand against election interference, appears to be engaging in exactly what they purport to fight. By focusing on confirming registrations of select voters, they could be tipping the scales in their favor, rather than supporting a fair and open process. It was even more concerning when we were abruptly asked to leave, with Laura Hobbs declaring that the meeting was 'private,' despite that designation not being mentioned in the flier.

"This meeting shines a spotlight on a larger issue in Shasta County—those who claim election fraud, the very people crying foul, may actually be engaging in activities that undermine the democratic process. We must ask ourselves, is the loud cry of 'fraud' really a smokescreen for manipulating our elections from within?

These election deniers, led by figures like Laura Hobbs, and Shasta County Election commissioner Patty Plumb are positioning themselves as defenders of democracy while potentially committing the very offenses they accuse others of."

Public Works Director Appointment

Now let’s discuss the appointment of director of resource management. On September 10th 2024 in a closed session, the board voted 3-2 to appoint Wyatt Paxton over Adam Fiesler who has been with the department and is currently acting as the acting director. 

Who is Wyatt Paxton?

Wyatt Paxton has previously worked within the Resource Management Department in Shasta County over a decade ago. Paxton is notably tied to the Integrity Project, an effort largely backed by developer Reverge Anselmo to sway public opinion against county regulations. The Integrity Project's primary mission was to undermine the county's stance on zoning and land use restrictions—key areas of contention for Anselmo, whose developments were frequently hampered by these regulations.

After leaving the county, Paxton worked closely with Anselmo to advocate for the dismantling of Shasta’s regulatory frameworks. Anselmo, frustrated by the county's refusal to allow him to bypass land-use laws, became embroiled in several legal disputes with the county over zoning restrictions, all of which are critical to understanding the importance of Paxton’s new role.

Notably Paxton was also a cast member in Episode 2 of The Red White and Blueprint, a propaganda documentary in an effort to recall District 2 supervisor Leonard Moty, which Jones and his allies were heavily involved in. 

The Integrity Project and Legal Cases

Paxton's involvement in the Integrity Project highlights his deep connections to Anselmo’s vision of weakening county oversight. The Integrity Project, heavily funded by Anselmo, aimed to reduce the county's ability to enforce building and zoning regulations—essentially the very rules that Anselmo found obstructive. Despite their efforts, Anselmo lost key lawsuits against Shasta County, but his financial influence continued to grow.

Here’s a brief overview of Anselmo’s major legal battles:

• Zoning Dispute: Anselmo’s attempts to develop his vineyard faced significant roadblocks due to county zoning laws. When his plans were denied, he filed lawsuits to overturn these regulations, but he ultimately lost.

  
  

• Building Code Violations: The county refused to issue permits for certain structures Anselmo wished to build, leading to further legal battles.

  
  

• Environmental and Safety Regulations: Anselmo challenged environmental regulations that restricted his developments, again losing in court.

  
  

Despite these legal defeats, Anselmo found a different way to gain leverage—by influencing local government through financial support for far-right candidates like Patrick Jones and Kevin Crye. Reverge was very vocal about his displeasure for the department of resource management in Episode 2 of the Red White and Blueprint.

Patrick Jones’ connection to the Resource Management Department is also deeply personal. Jones attempted to rezone his residential property to develop a gun range, which the department initially blocked. His frustration mirrors that of Anselmo’s. After gaining a seat on the Board of Supervisors, Jones was able to push for changes within the department that aligned with his agenda.

Paxton’s appointment is a victory for Jones, as it places someone in charge of the department who shares a disdain for the regulatory process. Paxton, having worked for Anselmo, represents a direct link to developers who want fewer restrictions. This move signals Jones’ ability to reshape the department that once stood in his way, allowing him to move forward with his plans with minimal resistance.

The appointment of Paxton is part of a broader pattern of cronyism in Shasta County’s current governance. Patrick Jones and the far-right majority on the Board of Supervisors, backed by Anselmo’s financial support, have been systematically placing loyalists in key positions. Other examples include:

• Joseph Larmour as County Counsel, who was placed in the position despite limited experience and a connection to Kevin Crye’s employee, Amber Abrams.

  
  

• Dr. James Mu as County Health Officer, appointed despite a 7-1 vote against him by an interview panel.

  
  

• John Knight on the mosquito vector board, another close ally of the far-right faction.

Jones recently admitted to the Record Searchlight that Chris Kelstrom made the motion to appoint Paxton during a closed session. This admission potentially violates the Brown Act, which governs transparency in local government. The act requires that closed-session details not be disclosed without an official vote, indicating that the board's leadership is not operating under full transparency.

During the August 27, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting, Mary Rickert and Tim Garman expressed concerns about systemic bullying within the board. They noted that the new personnel rules fail to protect elected officials from being pressured into decisions, particularly regarding closed-session information. However, Kevin Crye dismissed these concerns, referring to them as “tough conversations,” a clear minimization of the serious issues being raised.

What’s clear is that Shasta County's governance has been systematically dismantled by a far-right majority, with each new appointment serving a larger agenda: to remove regulatory roadblocks for a select few individuals, particularly developers like Reverge Anselmo and political allies like Patrick Jones. The Resource Management Department is just the latest casualty in this ongoing effort to reshape county government.

If you’re concerned about the future of Shasta County and the deep-rooted cronyism that’s been exposed, now is the time to act. The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 9 a.m. at 1450 Court Street. Attend the meeting and voice your concerns about the direction the county is heading in, and the blatant violations of transparency and accountability laws like the Brown Act. Together, we can demand better leadership for Shasta County.

And That’s the breakdown