The state Fair Political Practices Commission has opened an inquiry into county-funded mailers sent by First District Supervisor Andrew Do, according to a letter sent by the watchdog agency Wednesday.
Garden Grove councilman Phat Bui, who is running against Do for supervisor in the June primary, filed a complaint last month alleging several mailers sent by Do were in violation of the state’s Mass Mailing Act, which generally prohibits elected officials from printing references to themselves on publicly funded mass mailers.
Bui’s campaign released a letter Thursday morning from FPPC Enforcement Chief Galena West confirming that the agency has opened an investigation into his complaint. The investigation was also confirmed by FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga.
Voice of OC reported last month on mailers sent by Do and Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, which use the names of the supervisor three times: in a return address, letterhead, and again to invite residents to join their supervisor at the event.
Although the Mass Mailing Act does provide exceptions where referencing an elected official is allowed, the mailers raised concerns about how many references would be too many.
Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery held up payments for the mailers for about a week out of concerns that the mailers violated state law, although he released the payments after a meeting with County Counsel Leon Page.
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