Carpetbagging Republican Congressional candidate Peggy Huang is in hot water as the O.C. Register has detailed a lengthy account about her ethical lapses.
Here is an excerpt from the O.C. Register:
In addition to running for CA-45, Peggy Huang also sits on the Yorba Linda City Council. That city’s ethics code says city resources, including email addresses, can’t be used to do campaign work. But the DCCC did a public records request and found that during a three-month period ending in late June Huang used her city council email address to send a half dozen emails involving her congressional campaign. Records show the brief emails were all to campaign consultants and all dealt with routine campaign issues such as fundraising, scheduling and interview requests. She was not found to be using the city-sponsored email to reach constituents.
“Huang unethically used government resources for explicitly political purposes and completely broke the trust of those she serves in the city of Yorba Linda,” said Andy Orellana, spokesman for the DCCC.
When asked about the issue, Huang said she didn’t realize she’d accidentally used her city email to send those campaign messages until it was flagged by the city clerk following the DCCC’s records request. Huang said she has three email addresses — a personal address, city address and campaign address — that she had been accessing from her iPhone, and didn’t realize the phone had automatically populated those campaign messages with the wrong “sender” email address. As soon as she was notified, Huang said she deleted her city council email from her phone as a precaution so the mix-up can’t happen again.
Here are a few highlights of Huang’s misdeeds:
Despite a Yorba Linda City Ordinance prohibiting “campaign related activities [….] using City facilities, equipment, supplies or other City resources,” Peggy Huang sent the following campaign-related emails on her City email account since announcing her bid for Congress:
- An email regarding a potential donor who promised to host a fundraiser to campaign consultants.
- Appearing to discuss wiring money to her campaign consultants.
- Responding to an interview request from Politico and reached out to a group of consultants, saying “[n]eed prep!”
- Coordinating her official schedule with consultants.
- Sending an email to her consultants touting how her campaign was “gaining national attention.”
- Coordinating an interview with EDI Media Inc.
- Discussing “traveling around the district and outside the county for events to raise money and votes” for her Congressional campaign.
Yorba Linda’s Ethics Code States: “It Is Unlawful For Any City Official Or Staff Person To Engage In Campaign-Related Activities […] Using City Facilities, Equipment, Supplies Or Other City Resources.” [Yorba Linda City Council Ordinance 2010-940, accessed 7/9/19]
Huang Emailed Two Addresses At Golden State Consultants
Golden State Consultants Touted Providing “Individualized Finance Consulting From National To Local Political Candidates And Organizations.” “Golden State Consultants is a San Diego-based firm that provides individualized finance consulting from national to local political candidates and organizations. GSC will equip you with the necessary tools for financial success.” [Golden State Consultants, accessed 7/9/19]
June 2019: Huang Emailed Albin@gs-consults.com.
April 2019: Huang Emailed Ashley@gs-consults.com.
Huang Emailed “Leading” Campaign Consultant CEC Consulting
CEC Consulting Touted Itself As “One Of The Leading Firms In Terms Of Local Political Campaigns.” “Whether it is a political campaign, government affairs issue, or a private sector business client, CEC Consulting will ensure the satisfaction of the client and will go above and beyond the competition. A cookie-cutter approach is never taken and each client is treated to a customized service to best meet their specific needs. Based on the percentage of races won in June/November 2018 CEC Consulting is one of the leading firms in terms of local political campaigns.” [CEC Consulting, accessed 7/9/19]
April 2019: Huang Emailed Chris@cecconsultingfirm.com.
Huang Emailed Strategic Communications Firm DMI Direct
DMI Direct Touted Itself As The “Total Resource For Strategic Communications.” “DMI DIRECT is the total resource for strategic communications delivered with precision and clarity across a full array of media options. We are a team of professionals who work with dedication and energy to advance your message, drive response, and influence public opinion. Commitment to quality and clarity is at the core of everything we do. As a result, our track record of success has come to speak for itself. As a national organization, with offices in Washington DC and California, our award winning work has been recognized for its creativity and impact. Our diverse client base includes corporations, issue advocacy groups, trade associations, political causes, elected officials, non-profit organizations, and a host of private concerns.” [DMI Direct, accessed 7/9/19]
April 2019: Huang Emailed Ebrown@dmidirect.com.
Huang Emailed Compliance Firm Campaign Compliance Group
JenEve Slater Was The President Was Campaign Compliance Group, And Touted Serving In “In Compliance And Treasury Management Capacities For More Than 450 Unique Campaigns, Committees And Other Organizations.” “JenEve Slater, President, has over 25 years of experience complying with FPPC and FEC compliance laws. She has served in compliance and treasury management capacities for more than 450 unique campaigns, committees and other organizations, including U.S. Senate, House, Federal PACs, Statewide California races, and California Senate and Assembly campaigns.” [Campaign Compliance Group, accessed 7/9/19]
June 2019: Huang Emailed Jeneve@campaign-compliance.com.
June 2019: Huang Forwarded An Email To Apparent Consultants Requesting An Individual Who “Agreed To Host An Event In July” And “Wants To Attend Our Events This Month” Be Added To “Our Database.”
June 2019: Huang Emailed Several Apparent Campaign About What Appeared To Be A Wire Transfer, Writing: “The Wiring Was Done And Should Be In Account Today.”
April 2, 2019: Huang Used Her City Email To Contact Apparent Consultants Regarding An Interview Request, Writing “Need Prep!”
Lou Penrose Touted Himself As “A Seasoned And Gifted Political And Issue Oriented Fundraiser […] Responsible For Raising Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars For Candidates In Federal, State And Local Offices.” “A seasoned and gifted political and issue oriented fundraiser, Lou Penrose is responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for candidates in Federal, State and Local offices. Lou Penrose Government Relations is a full service federal, state, and local government relations and public affairs firm that provides political, policy, and strategic services to its clients in Southern California, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C.” [Lou Penrose Government Relations, 7/9/19]
DMI Direct Touted Itself As The “Total Resource For Strategic Communications.” “DMI DIRECT is the total resource for strategic communications delivered with precision and clarity across a full array of media options. We are a team of professionals who work with dedication and energy to advance your message, drive response, and influence public opinion. Commitment to quality and clarity is at the core of everything we do. As a result, our track record of success has come to speak for itself. As a national organization, with offices in Washington DC and California, our award winning work has been recognized for its creativity and impact. Our diverse client base includes corporations, issue advocacy groups, trade associations, political causes, elected officials, non-profit organizations, and a host of private concerns.” [DMI Direct, accessed 7/9/19]
April 2019: Huang Alerted Apparent Campaign Consultants She Would Be Attending A “Spring Awakening Fashion Show.”
April 2019: Huang Emailed An Apparent Campaign Consultant For A “Link For The Calendar.”
April 1, 2019: Huang Filed To Run For Congress. [FEC, 4/1/19]
April 9, 2019: Huang Sent An Email From Her City Account To Her Consultants Praising How Her Campaign Was “Gaining National Attention.”
April 3, 2019: Huang Coordinated An Interview For Her Congressional Campaign On Her City Email.
May 2019: Huang Discussed Her Congressional Campaign With An Acquaintance On A City Email.
