Jordan Brandman, an Anaheim Union High School District trustee and Anahim City Council candidate, issued a statement Friday denying an accusation that he misbused public resources, saying the complaint to the Orange County District Attorney’s office came from a political opponent with a “vendetta” against him.
“This is another groundless personal attack by Katherine Smith to smear my good name. She has repeatedly attacked me personally in public since I joined the Board of Trustees,” Brandman declared in the statement.
Smith, who sits on the school board with Brandman, made the complaint to the DA’s office after she and other staffers allegedly witnessed Brandman repeatedly exiting a small office at school district headquarters.
Smith said she has been unable to confirm Brandman’s activities in the office but suspects he is using the office for personal business, a violation of state law punishable by a $1,000 fine.
The DA’s office has decided to review the complaint, according to Susan Kang Schroeder, chief of staff to District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.
Board President Anna Piercy said that she knows of only one instance when Brandman used a district headquarters office for personal business. The candidate brought his personal laptop to work from the office, Piercy said.
The board president also insisted that the allegation against Brandman was politically motivated.