State investigates alleged San Diego Republican corruption

Comment by: R. Packaed Posted: August 25, 2009, 11:20 pm

How has he gotten away with all of this without it coming to light sooner?

Comment by: johndoereport Posted: August 26, 2009, 7:23 am

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The corruption is going to be exposed. Here are some interesting questions. Why does the California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring make so many trips to Dubai? Who is paying for this? What do they get for the money?

The Republican Party of San Diego County had over 3000 precinct workers now they have less than 200. The people in power don’t want volunteers because they start asking questions. Like, where did the money go? The consultants can’t get kickbacks from volunteers so the volunteers had to go.

The “handful of lazy past members” comment is very cute. Your going to find out what a “handful of lazy past members” can do to clean up the Republican Party. We are watching everything you do. I hope you saved up some of the kickback money your going to need it for your lawyers.

Comment by: To Knowing Posted: August 26, 2009, 8:24 am

Wow! You are good at spinning! Keep it up, you can weave yourself a nice blanket to hide under! While your at it make one for McSweeney it looks like he needs one too after what he said.

Comment by: Linda J. Wilson Posted: August 26, 2009, 12:08 pm

This article is right on! I have been telling the RNC and the CA Republican Party that I can’t donate to them as I have in the past unless and until they do something about the corrupt, special interest, big business, big government Republicans we have pulling the strings here in San Diego. SDNN can expect a lot of flack for having the guts to run this story. I would also like to know if April Boling’s campaign received donations from the Citizens for a Better San Diego. Wouldn’t that be illegal?

Comment by: Ian Trowbridge Posted: August 26, 2009, 12:30 pm

I doubt this will go anywhere. Bill Horn was, and is, guilty of much more serious violations of the Fair Political Practices laws during his last re-election than those reported here. All that happened was he was fined $12,000 by the FPPC that was paid for by his campaign committee. Criminal charges should have been filed against him and his chief of staff.

Comment by: Mary Posted: August 26, 2009, 9:15 pm

I certainly hope you have proof of such violations. These are serious accusations and must be supported by evidence.

To send out an E-mail blast without anything more than hearsay is reckless.

For the person or persons to make these accusations, but do it anonymously is disgusting.

Let the proper agency take care of this problem, if there really is one?

Don’t send me your trash anymore.

Comment by: G Posted: August 27, 2009, 9:43 am

Tony Krvaric has a history of harassing employers of central committee members who disagree with him.

All Republican Members of Congress and one Republican Nominee for Congress have been contacted by Krvaric to complain that their staff or representative on the Committee was not part of “Team Tony”.

In fact, I recall Marc Schaefer of Congressman Bilbray’s office stating on more than one occassion that despite having been elected to the Central Committee by the voters of San Diego, he would lose his job if he continued to partake in Central Committee meetings or Republican events. This was after Tony Krvaric and I believe Ron Nehring contacted his boss to complain that was not a team player.

Comment by: Rykov Posted: August 27, 2009, 10:07 am

With Nehring in charge, it would not suprise me if this modus operendi permeates the entire state. Perhaps this is one reason why Schwarzenegger can’t stand these guys.

Comment by: Mark gotfried Posted: August 28, 2009, 9:19 am

This is why I switched party lines and became a Democrat. The Republican party is extremely corrupt not just locally either. Mayor Sanders is very corrupt as well and people need to look into his wrong doings as well.

Comment by: Gordon Posted: August 28, 2009, 1:08 pm

Krvaric has also been involved in other weird situations, that definitely sounds like he bribed a candidate to drop out of a city council race, by offering to buy out the cost of his campaign consultant.

From what I’ve been told by 3 credible sources, during the last election cycle, Tony Krvaric approved payment of over $4,000 to Jerry VanDeWeghe, campaign manager for Robert Ilko, a candidate in San Diego City Council District 5. In return, Ilko ended his campaign for City Council against Carl DeMaio.

VanDeWeghe was thereafter given monthly “contract” payments, though he provided no tangible service to the Party. In fact, Tony Krvaric often complained of VanDeWeghe’s “uselessness.”

It was common knowledge to many that Krvaric’s arrangement was done soley for the sake of eliminating any competition for Carl DeMaio, who was a favorite of Tony Krvaric, Ron Nehring, and the “inner-circle” leadership of the Party.

Comment by: Yoyo Posted: August 28, 2009, 6:57 pm

Here’s another piece of information I found posted earlier. Enjoy the read!

Carl DeMaio, a member of the City Council, has been a supporter of Tony Krvaric, and has knowingly or unknowingly benefited from Krvaric’s dirty political tactics.

Tony Krvaric is Chairman of the San Diego Republican Party and complaints have been filed against him with both the State of California Fair Political Practices Commission and the San Diego City Ethics commission for gross and negligent violations of election laws.

Is this the kind of character you want handpicking Republican Party Candidates for elected offices in San Diego? Learn more below.

There have been numerous occasions over extended periods of time, during which both Tony Krvaric (Chairman of the San Diego County Republican Party) and Ron Nehring (California Republican Party Chairman, Former Chairman of the San Diego County Republican Party) exhibited behavior that have been found to be both inappropriate and questionable. It is my intent to share these observations with you.

Ron Nehring, while chairman of the local Party, insisted on receiving Hyatt Rewards Points for the monthly public committee meetings held, according to the Election Code, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Monthly costs for these meetings often equaled or exceeded $1,500. - $1,900. On one occasion, Nehring, realizing the hotel had suspended this accumulation of award points (since the Party was paying), had staff repeatedly call hotel catering services to have the points reinstated. Nehring continued this behavior while at the CRP, and used the awards accumulated to take personal vacations around the world. While chairman of San Diego he even took an excursion to London for the weekend on these points, or so he boasted to staff. He was very liberal in his expensing of hotels, car rentals, etc. even in the San Diego region, little more than an hour or two drive from his home in Crest, CA. After he left San Diego for the CRP, Nehring retained Party property, including a laptop, which he has yet to return as of January 2009. Recent media reports have exposed this same sort of behavior at the CRP to this day; disclosures show Nehring even expensing gym memberships as part of the Party’s “victory strategy.”

Nehring also utilized county Party employees in his CRP election campaigns “without reimbursement,” or rather on the local Party’s dime. Staff was asked to attend conventions and “required” to assist in his campaigning, which included, but was not limited to, whipping voters and distributing fliers, buttons, signs, etc. Nehring (and Krvaric) also required staff to assist in the campaigns of CRP Vice-Chair Tom Del Becaro and CRP Vice-Chair-South Warene Wall. At these same conventions, Nehring and Krvaric masterminded a proxy scheme by which they obtained blank signed proxy appointments from CRP members across the state. These were assigned to “trustworthy” alternates who were pressured to vote for particular candidates.

Also uncovered was a special arrangement between the county Party and their preferred publisher, Bieber Communications. While Nehring was chairman he incurred campaign finance violation fines. However, rather than have the Party pay for it, and consequently have a blot on his “record,” he arranged for Bieber Communications to admit culpability and pay the fines in their entirety. In return, the Party was to use Bieber for all our design and publication needs. Nehring encouraged Bieber to “pad” invoices, essentially charging extra, so they would eventually be repaid. When Krvaric was first chairman, he was unaware of this arrangement and was rather angry that we were continuing to use Bieber at an elevated price compared to competitors. Eventually, though, he acquiesced and continued Nehring’s practice.

Krvaric has also abused his financial privileges. He submitted numerous incomplete or suspicious reimbursement requests. Many of these were eventually approved by April Boling (Accountant of the San Diego County Republican Party). In at least one instance, invoices were unavailable, but it is our understanding Krvaric was still reimbursed. Mileage reimbursements hardly ever included the specifics required of employees; often, they consisted of merely “2,000 miles” for “Party business,” etc. Employees, on the other hand, were required by Krvaric to provide detailed descriptions of travel, including odometer readings. Krvaric spent thousands of dollars on items unapproved by the Executive Committee, including laptops. When Krvaric was elected chairman, he proceeded to submit reimbursement requests to the sum of $6,000.00+ for a trip to Washington, DC, which had taken place over a year previously. Boling initially hesitated to approve this because of the length of time that had elapsed and the inconvenience of amending over a year of reports. Krvaric was ultimately reimbursed, to the best of my knowledge, in full.

Additionally, during the last election cycle, Krvaric approved payment of over $4,000 to Jerry VanDeWeghe, campaign manager for Robert Ilko, a candidate in San Diego City Council District 5. VanDeWeghe was thereafter given monthly “contract” payments, though he provided no tangible service to the Party. In fact, Krvaric often complained of VanDeWeghe’s “uselessness.” It was understood within the office that this arrangement was approved in order to eliminate any competition for Carl DeMaio, who was a favorite of Krvaric, Nehring, and the “inner-circle” leadership of the Party, which included Coronado Communications, a favored vendor.

Krvaric organized a similar scheme for Michael McSweeney, Vice-Chairman of the local Party, who was later fired from the re-election campaign of Mayor Jerry Sanders after it was publically revealed he had attempted to bribe one of the mayor’s opponents. Krvaric also withheld payment from other candidates to whom he had a verbal contract to pay filing fees, etc. These candidates included Jeff Perwin and Dan Felser. Krvaric’s refusal to reimburse Felser lead to two private suits against the Party and Jonathan Buettner, former COO, which were eventually settled out of court. Perwin, who was also contracted for database management and GOTV precinct operations, was repeatedly harassed by Krvaric, who would withhold or delay payment of services provided. Krvaric accused Perwin of not fulfilling his obligations to the Party (as a candidate and as a vendor) and threatened to end his involvement in local politics if he did not cooperate with his demands. In fact, Krvaric ordered me on numerous occasions to ignore Perwin’s calls and e-mails for these stated reasons. Eventually, payment was disbursed only after Krvaric obtained an ex-officio alternate appointment for one of his favorites.

Krvaric’s relationship with Coronado Communications is rather suspicious. During the election cycle, there were numerous e-mails and joke graphics that were passed among committee members and donors lambasting Krvaric as a “part-time partner” of Coronado. Krvaric often worked out of the offices of Coronado Communications’ headquarters (then located in downtown San Diego) to have check requests signed and oversee other efforts. Tony seemed to have his own desk at which he was always working. Often he would spend long periods of time at this desk. He had a close relationship with both Duane Dichara and Jennifer Jacobs; the former being considered a “puppet master” of local politics both in San Diego and Sacramento.

Krvaric withheld payment for almost a year on legal services provided by McAteer & McAteer of San Diego. He was apparently unsatisfied with their services and had expected them to provide them pro bono. He expressed these very sentiments to others, exclaiming they ought to be grateful they were even asked by him to provide this legal advice. Krvaric has been quoted saying he would “destroy” them and their reputation in the city, telling donors to take their legal needs elsewhere. He hinted at doing this for other vendors as well, including the Party’s preferred office supply printer, Minuteman Press.

Krvaric and Nehring also manipulated the committee and executive board on other elections issues. Krvaric rejected the standard endorsement questionnaire submitted to all GOP candidates. He specifically added questions regarding criminal records, to target conservative Christian activist James Hartline, as well as whether candidates had declared bankruptcy. The latter was specifically included to harass and intimidate long-time GOP activists Larry and Rose Urdahl. James Kelly, a member of the committee and a colleague of Larry Urdahl on the Grossmont Union High School Board of Trustees, was instrumental in this harassment. Numerous committee members protested this singling out; Krvaric refused to publically acknowledge their complaints. Krvaric and Nehring also pushed through numerous endorsements of local officials and candidates for CRP office without prior notification to the membership or debate within the meeting. Dissenting committee members were frequently accused of “not being on the team,” especially if they raised concerns over early appointments, or those appointments made by “acclamation.”

Krvaric and other Executive Board members were responsible for the publication of slates for the Central Committee elections. They used San Diego Republican Party Executive Committee meetings in which names were compiled of those who should be the chosen electorates for the slate mailer. These secret meetings have been affirmed by many staff members of the San Diego Republican Party, as well as by Gary Felien, the Party’s treasurer, in casual conversation. I was also aware that April Boling, the Party’s accountant, was aware of what was going on, as she was the treasurer for the slate’s front organization. I do not know the extent to which she was knowledgeable of Krvaric, Nehring, and other committee members’ involvement.

As for other committee matters, Krvaric has violated numerous sections of the State Election Code and the bylaws of the Republican Party of San Diego County. Due to basic ignorance of the rules of parliamentary procedure outlined in our bylaws, Krvaric has repeatedly refused to allow debate or to entertain valid motions, despite the objections of many central committee members and those of William Baber, a lawyer and General Counsel to the San Diego Republican Party. This was especially highlighted in the controversy over the filling of vacancies to the committee. Not only did Krvaric refuse to dismiss members who had violated the bylaws by a universal standard, picking and choosing who to remove instead, he also deliberately misled committee members and legal counsel. Both Nehring and Krvaric lied to Charles Bell of Sacramento, CA, who is often employed by the Party for legal advice. Party staff contacted Bell on numerous occasions to clarify his memoranda and express their hesitancy to accept what Nehring and Krvaric were telling him privately. Ultimately, they retrieved documentary evidence of Krvaric’s wrongfulness, based on a footnote in one of Bell’s memos. These were provided to legal counsel and a final letter was released to the Committee, paid out of its funds. Krvaric refused to make this final memo available as he had with all the others supporting his position. Bell refused to take calls or to respond to e-mails from members or staff. Krvaric confronted both Buettner and other staff over this matter, accusing them of being “disloyal,” “backstabbing,” and not part of the “team.” To this day the memo has not been released.

Krvaric also “fired” two female staff members and forbade them from even setting foot in the office again, accusing them of being “sexual harassment liabilities.” He later “fired” COO of the San Diego Republican Party, Jonathan Buettner, while sending out a public memo that he was off to a better job. Krvaric has also lamented how he should be the “godfather of politics in San Diego.” His goal is seemingly to garner favors and “debts” to his name; he wanted people to “owe him” and vice versa. Krvaric had also privately acknowledged that in 2009 he would “cleanhouse” and take care of committee members who were not cooperating with his regime.

Complaints are voiced monthly by several members of the Central Committee about the misconduct of Chairman Tony Krvaric and his new Executive Director, Barrett Tetlow. Barret has verbally abused more than one committee member and refuses to answer phone calls and e-mails on many occasions. Committee members are also harassed continuously by Krvaric and his executive board. Anthony Porrello, a dedicated Party and committee member has been verbally assaulted by Tetlow. He is essentially banned from party headquarters and has been surrounded by Krvaric and Tetlow, and threatened with having calling the police called if Porrello does not stay away.

Committee members are also denied access to Executive Board meetings, which was not regular policy previously. Rosters are not provided to members, despite the fact they are public information regarding elected officials. Krvaric has suggested that members collect information on their own to make their own lists. Attendance reports are no longer provided for members, leaving no accountability as to whether individuals are in compliance with the bylaws. Finally, meeting announcements are not provided as in accordance with the party bylaws. Minutes are often incomplete; financial information is never provided. In our own experience, Krvaric and his staff have refused to include many members committee mailings and virtually ignore the appointments of alternate members of the Central Committee.

On May 11, 2009, at the latest regular central committee meeting, Gary Felien, in his “secret” treasury report to committee members, discussed certain “accusations” being spread around the committee by “certain individuals.” He did not elaborate and Tony refused to allow any discussion of the matter, but Felien seemed to be concerned over rumors regarding financial mismanagement. He ended his remarks as follows (this is not a direct quote): “Even if there was something going on, it’d be like .1% or something, and that’s nothing in the large scheme of things. We shouldn’t be worried about that small amount of money….we have so much something’s bound to get lost.” This is the sort of chicanery committee members are forced to endure month in and month out.

Comment by: Gordon Posted: August 29, 2009, 1:06 pm

Given the very disturbing issues that have been brought to light by the SDNN.com article about Tony Krvaric, the numerous violations which have been filed with the FPPC and are under investigation, as well as the disappointing conduct of Krvaric in his position as Chairman, it is requisite that he resign as Chairman immediately, for the sake of the face of the San Diego Republican Party.

Your are encouraged to contact Tony Krvaric himself and ask for his resignation. It would also be of great value to contact San Diego’s highest ranking elected officials to encourage them to do the same, Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth and Congressman Darrell Issa.

Congressman Darrell Issa
Office Phone: 760-599-5000 | Email: darrell@mail.house.gov
Issa Staff: dale.neugebauer@mail.house.govphil.paule@mailhouse.gov; amy.walker@mail.house.gov; mary.pritschau@mail.house.gov

Senator Dennis Hollingsworth
Office Phone: (619) 596-3136 | Email: senator.hollingsworth@sen.ca.gov
Hollingsworth Staff: Jerry.VanDeWeghe@sen.ca.gov, Bob.Giovati@sen.ca.gov, Cheryl.McLachlan@sen.ca.gov, sandra.donovan@sen.ca.gov

Tony Krvaric
Cell: 858-699-3000 | Office: 858-450-4600 | Email: tony@tonykrvaric.com

Comment by: San Diego Dave Posted: August 29, 2009, 11:30 pm

Ho-hum. Really nothing new here. The GOP has been so corrupt so long that it’s inextricably woven into the party. And to think Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president! What a disgrace to his legacy.

Comment by: sarah Posted: August 30, 2009, 8:03 am

overlooking corruption in our own local party is the REASON for the loss of elections, not a reason to win elections. the corruption allows for illogical decisions to be made, and ones that do not consider what the public wants for their electeds, and who should run. candidates should not be picked in dark rooms between shady characters. this isn’t Chicago. it should be in the light of day, and be able to stand the scrutiny of the common voter.

bet it would surprise you to learn the many candidates are told they are not ALLOWED to run. yes, this is the United States, and the creeps at the helm are redifining what our rights as citizens are. do you think then, that the buffoons they choose will then fight corruption in congress or elsewhere, or simply do there what they allowed here?

WAKE UP this is why we will continue to fail to win. we NEED to clean this up!

Comment by: San Diego Dave Posted: September 1, 2009, 3:33 pm

Get a Shovel: It’s going to take longer than eight months to undo the eight YEARS of Bush.

And if you’re using Sarah Quitter Palin as a paragon of ethical standards, don’t count on a GOP comeback next year or in 2012. Here’s a clue: Don’t mention Palin in any of your public communications; she’s last week’s ground beef.

Comment by: Mama Bear Posted: September 6, 2009, 12:53 pm

Felien should step down as City Treasurer in Oceanside immediately!

Comment by: selena Posted: November 5, 2009, 7:51 pm

and don’t forget good friend of krvarics and 77th state assemblyman Joel Anderson is now under investigation from the FPPC for campaign finances and money laundering. clean house people, clean house