Blog: 'Team Oceanside' Allegations

Patch blogger and Oceanside City Council candidate Donald Snyder seems determined to perpetuate the lies that have recently begun circulating about alleged campaign finance violations on the part of the Team Oceanside PAC.

As the treasurer of the Team Oceanside PAC, I will take a few minutes to address these allegations. 

They were first raised in a blog post on right-wing site sdrostra.com (no, I'm not going to link to it) in a post by San Diego County Republican Party Secretary Derrick W Roach. Mr. Roach is also a licensed Private Investigator in the state of California. Apparently, the requirements for being a PI in California do not include literacy. Mr Roach alleges that Team Oceanside has not registered in the correct category as a PAC with the state's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).

Had he bothered to pull the original statement of organization (CA Form 410) for Team Oceanside, he would have found the following "Brief Description of Activity": "We support candidates and measure that stand for preserving and enhancing the quality of life of Oceanside residents and taxpayers and oppose those against."

None of the PAC's actions have been contrary to this statement.

When Mr. Roach first leveled his allegation against the PAC (and myself as its Treasurer), I took the liberty of contacting the FPPC. I was informed that they did not have any issues with our actions or filings, and further that no complaints had been filed making official allegations of wrongdoing.

Donald Snyder's perpetuation of the libelous allegation of "money laundering" by Mr. Roach in this case simply shows his unfitness for elected office. Our elected officials are given a public trust that includes the obvious of "doing their homework" and actually weighing the validity of the arguments with which they are presented.

I have consulted and will continue to consult with attorneys regarding possible legal action for libel against the author of the original blog post (Mr. Roach) and the San Diego County Republican Party, given that he holds an official position in that organization and that there is a strong possibility that his actions were authorized or encouraged by the San Diego County Republican Party's Central Committee.

At the same time, I am forced to conclude that given the lack of filing of an official complaint, this is nothing but an attempt at slinging mud, with the hope that some of it will sail past the Team Oceanside PAC and splatter the candidates which we have endorsed for the November 2012 Mayoral and City Council races in Oceanside.

Mr. Snyder would be well advised to retract his perpetuation of the libelous allegations that have been made by partisan tools, and examine his priorities and convictions.