Officials with the Fair Political Practices Commission will investigate allegations that Jose Solorio, who is running for the Ward 3 seat on the Santa Ana City Council, violated state law through the arrangement.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inSanta Ana
Has Mayor Pulido Found a Way Around Santa Ana’s Campaign Money Laws?
In a departure from his past campaigns, Miguel Pulido is apparently depending entirely on independent groups to run his re-election. But there are questions about whether he’s playing by the rules.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Will Pay $1.7 Million to Family of Homeless Man Killed by Police
The settlement ends a lawsuit filed by the family of Kevin Arellano, who was shot and killed by a Santa Ana officer in 2013.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Top Stories
Ethics Experts Question Campaign Work by Supervisor’s Top Aide
In an arrangement that runs the risk of violating state law, OC Supervisor Andrew Do’s chief of staff, Brian Probolsky, has been working on his boss’s re-election campaign while also receiving a full-time salary from the county.
Posted inTop Stories
County Officials Tout Efforts for Homeless, But Funding Still a Question
Orange County supervisors heard Tuesday from their new homeless czar, who noted both progress and gaps in the county’s effort to alleviate chronic homelessness. While showing an interest in improving services, supervisors would not make funding commitments.
Posted inPolitics & Elections, Safety, Security & Justice, Santa Ana
Clear Lines Have Been Drawn in Santa Ana’s Ward 3 City Council Race
In the city’s only open council seat, police union-backed Jose Solorio, a former councilman and state assemblyman, is facing several grass-roots candidates.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana City Council Hopefuls Debate How to Pay for Youth Programs
Some who attended an election forum Tuesday argued that money from the city’s police budget should be redirected toward expanding opportunities for youth. Others said there are already too few cops on the street.
Posted inSanta Ana
Solorio Pays Back Campaign Money He Used for Apartment Rent
Santa Ana City Council candidate Jose Solorio says he personally paid $2,880 to his campaign to reimburse what was spent on his apartment, following a Voice of OC report that the arrangement could violate state law.
Posted inSanta Ana
Show Us Your Leases, Says Santa Ana Council Candidate
Amid residency questions in a contentious seven-way City Council race, David De Leon has a message for his opponents: I’m showing you my lease, now show me yours.
Posted inEducation, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Mental Health Money Top Issue in Santa Ana School Board Forum
Candidates for seats on the Santa Ana Unified School District board delved into issues like expanding mental health support for students and the need to end the so-called “school-to-prison pipeline”
