“Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
Your enemy won't do you no harm
Cause you'll know where he's coming from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice I'm only try' to school”
“Smiling Faces Sometimes”, 1971, Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
We’ve been looking at Scott Voigts’ record since he announced that he plans to run for re-election to the City Council.
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In Part 1 we looked at some of Voigts’ broken promises, and pointed out that since Voigts took office we are spending more on Police but getting less, and our crime rate is up, especially murder and other violent crimes. We also demonstrated that his masquerade as a “conservative” was contrary to his actions, spending thousands to make his life easier, imposing fines and raising rates as well as spending thousands of dollars of City money on travel.
In Part 2 we looked at the harm that Voigts’ actions have done to the City – the many resignations, the impotence of the Commissions caused by his crony appointments, the failure to build new schools but to allow 6,000+ new children into the City, and the votes to expand Musick Jail and to allow dangerous felons and maximum security prisoners.
Find out what's happening in Lake Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today we’ll focus on his ethical violations. Below you’ll find the exact language from the City’s code along with Voigts’ behavior.
CITY CODE – FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
“2.3 Safeguard ability to make independent, objective, fair and impartial judgments by scrupulously avoiding financial and social relationships and transactions that may compromise, or give the appearance of compromising, objectivity, independence, and honesty.”
VOIGTS’ VIOLATIONS
Voigts had taken thousands of dollars from people and businesses who have contracts with the City, are looking for contracts, or are asking for an ordinance. Voigts never reveals this relationship prior to voting, nor does he ever recuse himself from the vote. Although technically not illegal, it certainly does “give the appearance of compromising, objectivity, independence, and honesty.”
CITY CODE – PERSONAL GAIN
“2.4 Carefully consider if exceeding or appearing to exceed authority of office for personal and/or financial gain. When in doubt, avoid actions that create, in the mind of a reasonable observer, the appearance of impropriety, ethical lapses, legal violations, or actions inconsistent with the Leadership Principles.”
VOIGTS’ VIOLATIONS
Voigts falsely claims he is the Mayor of Lake Forest in his recent e-mail. He does this as well around town when glad-handing constituents. The purpose of Voigts’ e-mail is to solicit contributions to his campaign. Thus, Voigts is exceeding his authority by falsely using the title, and hoping for personal gain in the form of money.
CITY CODE – SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
“2.3 Safeguard ability to make independent, objective, fair and impartial judgments by scrupulously avoiding financial and social relationships and transactions that may compromise, or give the appearance of compromising, objectivity, independence, and honesty.”
VOIGTS’ VIOLATIONS
Voigts uses his personal relationships to appoint people to our commissions. He appointed one person who had worked for him in his 2010 campaign. He appointed two more who were friends, even though they weren’t qualified to be on the Commission. He appointed another who was related to one of his biggest campaign contributors.
CITY CODE – TELLING THE TRUTH
“2.5 Deter rumors and misunderstandings by making factual information available, answering questions directly, telling the truth, and admitting a lack of knowledge if one exists.”
VOIGTS’ VIOLATIONS
The code requires “factual information”. Voigts has lied so often that it would take more space than an entire article to list all the lies. Here are a few examples -
Voigts claimed that OC Alert system will cover escaped prisoners from Musick, but it will not.
Voigts claimed we are one of the safest cities in the U.S. when we are not even one of the safest cities in Southern California.
Voigts claimed that Brookfield Homes was not given a special exemption by the City and SVUSD when in fact they did – an exemption that gave the new kids privileges that our own kids didn’t have!
Voigts claimed he spent as much as Peter Herzog in 2010 when in fact he spent 40% more.
Tomorrow we’ll sum up.
