Yard signs, and Mailers sent to homes by Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform attempted to scare voters with disinformation and outright falsehoods against 4th District candidate Jaramillo. Similar dirty campaign tactics by this group in the last election failed.
Once again Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform sent out fliers to homes filled with disinformation and outright lies this election targeting District 4 City Council candidate Kitty Jaramillo. In past elections, the same group made outrageous and false claims against candidates Ahmad Zahra, Shana Charles, and Ruthi Hanchett – all won their races.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Free Speech Clause protects false speech when viewed as a broad category, but the government may restrict limited subcategories of false speech such as defamation and fraud. A very good discussion of deception in political advertising is available by visiting https://www.freedomforum.org/lie-political-ads/
Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform #1346685, Anaheim
(previously named “Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform, Major Funding by Tony Bushala”)
Treasurer: Helen Myers/ Assistant Treasurer: Jack Dean
(Info below is from the organization’s form. 460, 496, and 497 self-declared filings for the 11/2024 election available on the City of Fullerton website under Elections/Campaign/Campaign Disclosure Statements)
$46,735: Spent by the Group:
• $28,517 opposing City Council District 4 Candidate Kitty Jaramillo
• $18,218 opposing Measure N (Fullerton Elementary School Bonds) & Measure L (Fullerton High School District Bonds)
$44,250: Contributions to the group from:
- $4750: Anthony Bushala 10/26/24
- $4750: Sylvia Bushala 10/26/24
- $4750: George Bushala 10/26/24
- $5000: John Saunders 10/28/24 (Newport Beach owner of Rancho La Paz)
- $5000: Apartment Association of OC PAC #980470 10/25/24
- $5000: David Jerome (Fullerton Property Manager/owner) 9/30/24
- $15,000: David Perez, City of Industry, (owner/Valley Vista Services Waste Disposal) 9/27/24
Expenditures declared on 460 (7/1/2024 through10/24/2024)
- $20,434: postcard mailers, robocalls & texts opposing Council District 4 candidate Vivian “Kitty” Jaramillo
- $2052: lawn signs opposing Measure N and L (Fullerton elementary and high school bonds)
Late Contributions Declared 10/26/2024
Opposing Vivian “Kitty” Jaramillo District 4 City Council
- $1583.33: George Bushala Sr
- $1583.33: Sylvia Bushala
- $1583.33: Anthony Bushala
- $1666.66: David Jerome
- $1666.68: Apartment Assoc of OC PAC. #980470
No on Measure N (Fullerton Elementary School Bond)
- $1583.33: George Bushala Sr
- $1583.33: Sylvia Bushala
- $1583.33: Anthony Bushala
- $1666.66: David Jerome
- $1666.66: Apartment Assoc of OC PAC. #980470
No on Measure L (Fullerton High School Bond)
- $1583.33: George Bushala Sr
- $1583.33: Sylvia Bushala
- $1583.33: Anthony Bushala
- $1666.66: David Jerome
- $1666.66: Apartment Assoc of OC PAC. #980470
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Categories: Election, Elections, Local Government, Local News
I do not appreciate that the clickbait title and the story supports only 1 side. There was another group supporting Vivian Jamarillo that spent much more money. Why are you not citing that?
Answer to Marian – because the group that supported Jaramillo did not use dirty deceptive campaign tactics which is what this article is about. There are a few more in this Dirty Politics series coming up.
Great article, but why don’t you unmask the membership of this libelous outfit?
I think Kitty SHOULD sue for libel!
The word “Taxpayers” used in attack ads like this always seem to point to someone MAGA-minded, GOP funded group of wackos who’s motto is, To He** with you Jack, I’ve got mine!”
It’s ‘way past time to rip the mask of the lying, oppressive blackguards, and see their names in print!
Thanks for at least starting to do the journalists job as it was originally intended: “To comfort the afflicted, and afflct the comfortable”.
Correction: visual issues here.
Thanks for starting the process; now finish the job by posting ALL the names!
Marian – This is not clickbait, it’s True Journalism, and why don’t you know the difference?
(PD – your comment was edited to remove personal attack on another commenter. Please remember that is not allowed)
Not at all surprised to see the Bushalas are behind this.
Wasn’t the other candidate in District 4 running so the Latino votes can be taken away so Kitty could win? That’s dirty campaigning!
Also, I would like to know what false claims were made against Zahra?
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Response to Jeff: please remember that one comment from you is enough. If you continue with the various pen names you will be blocked. You are mistaken about the District 4 issues. Search for “Markowitz” or “Zahra” to come up to speed on either of those stories that we printed quite some time ago.
All the character assassination hit pieces put out by Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform are totally false and meant to lower the bar for their favorite candidate to win – which, by the way, is not Whitaker.
Are there examples of what’s being called “disinformation and outright lies”? That would be helpful, thanks.
Brady – the “Team Jaramillo Busted “ mailer sent out by Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform shown at the beginning of this article is a good example of outright lies. Kitty and her team had nothing to do with the candidate who was charged with falsely signing his nomination papers.
How do you know that? Did you investigate the matter? Or did you ask Kitty and her team? Just because you believe something doesn’t make it fact or truth or journalism. It is just opinion right?
(Reply to Benjamin – Happily we know who putout the disinfo negative mailers claiming “Team Jaramillo Busted” because of the required disclosure on the mailer clearly naming Fullerton Taxpayers for Reform. The OCDA investigated the candidate who falsely claimed he had witnessed the signatures on his nomination papers and found no connection to Jaramillo campaign.)
Don’t know how I missed that, but thanks Sharon. More reasons for voters to read their local press.