The Santa Monica Transparency Project Documents

One of the goals of the Transparency Project is to dig deep and follow the paper trail so we can shed light on the democratic process in Santa Monica. Our volunteers spend countless hours searching through files, combing the internet, referencing and cross-referencing minutes, reports, campaign filings, financial statements, and any other documents that will help inform you about elections and the decision-making processes in our city. Projects and cases are listed below, with links to pertinent documents.
The Oaks Initiative
Oaks Initiative - City Charter Article XXII Taxpayer Protection Amendment of 2000
Oaks Initiative 2016 Amendment
A Brief History of Santa Monica Oaks Initiative and Resident Enforcement
Oaks Initiative - City Charter Article XXII Taxpayer Protection Amendment of 2000
Oaks Initiative 2016 Amendment
A Brief History of Santa Monica Oaks Initiative and Resident Enforcement
2016 Transparency Project Oaks Complaint Against Terry O’Day
In November 2016, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City alleging that former City Council Member Terry O’Day violated Santa Monica’s anti-corruption law (the Oaks Initiative) by accepting political campaign contributions from Marc Luzatto, developer of a project which replaced the the Village Trailer Park and displaced low-income seniors, and Dan Emmett, owner of several local residential properties, after Mr. O'Day approved multiple City contracts with the two men while he was a City Council Member.
The Oaks Initiative prohibits Mr. O’Day from accepting campaign contributions from recipients of public benefits while acting as a City Councilman. The detailed complaints allege that Mr. O’Day failed to abide by this restriction.
When the Transparency Project brought this conduct, which occurred at the highest level of city government, to the attention of the City, enforcement action in the form of a fine was taken as specified in Oaks.
In November 2016, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City alleging that former City Council Member Terry O’Day violated Santa Monica’s anti-corruption law (the Oaks Initiative) by accepting political campaign contributions from Marc Luzatto, developer of a project which replaced the the Village Trailer Park and displaced low-income seniors, and Dan Emmett, owner of several local residential properties, after Mr. O'Day approved multiple City contracts with the two men while he was a City Council Member.
The Oaks Initiative prohibits Mr. O’Day from accepting campaign contributions from recipients of public benefits while acting as a City Councilman. The detailed complaints allege that Mr. O’Day failed to abide by this restriction.
When the Transparency Project brought this conduct, which occurred at the highest level of city government, to the attention of the City, enforcement action in the form of a fine was taken as specified in Oaks.
2015 Transparency Project Complaint Against Rod Gould
In June 2015, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City alleging that former City Manager Rod Gould violated Santa Monica’s anti-corruption law (the Oaks Initiative) by accepting employment with Management Partners, Inc. after approving multiple City contracts with them while he was City Manager. Not long after Mr. Gould left Santa Monica’s employ at the end of January, he went to work as a Vice-President of Management Partners.
The Oaks Initiative prohibits Mr. Gould, until recently the City’s most senior officer, from being employed for a two-year period after leaving Santa Monica by any company whose contracts he had approved while acting as City Manager. The detailed complaints allege that Mr. Gould failed to abide by this restriction.
When the Transparency Project brought this conduct, which occurred at the highest level of city government, to the attention of the City, they did nothing other than remind us of residents’ right to file a lawsuit to enforce the Oaks Initiative, which we have done.
In June 2015, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City alleging that former City Manager Rod Gould violated Santa Monica’s anti-corruption law (the Oaks Initiative) by accepting employment with Management Partners, Inc. after approving multiple City contracts with them while he was City Manager. Not long after Mr. Gould left Santa Monica’s employ at the end of January, he went to work as a Vice-President of Management Partners.
The Oaks Initiative prohibits Mr. Gould, until recently the City’s most senior officer, from being employed for a two-year period after leaving Santa Monica by any company whose contracts he had approved while acting as City Manager. The detailed complaints allege that Mr. Gould failed to abide by this restriction.
When the Transparency Project brought this conduct, which occurred at the highest level of city government, to the attention of the City, they did nothing other than remind us of residents’ right to file a lawsuit to enforce the Oaks Initiative, which we have done.
Transparency Project Complaints Against Rod Gould
Timeline
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment D
Attachment E
Attachment F
Attachment G
Letter from Marsha Moutrie, June 16, 2015
The Transparency Project Response, June 24, 2015
Marsha Moutrie Letter to The Transparency Project, June 25, 2015
Lawsuit
Settlement
Timeline
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C
Attachment D
Attachment E
Attachment F
Attachment G
Letter from Marsha Moutrie, June 16, 2015
The Transparency Project Response, June 24, 2015
Marsha Moutrie Letter to The Transparency Project, June 25, 2015
Lawsuit
Settlement
2014 Transparency Project Complaint Against Pam O'Connor
In October 2014, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City against then Mayor Pam O’Connor, alleging 34 violations of Santa Monica law relating to campaign contributions she had received from major developers after voting in favor of their large projects. These serious allegations relate to batched contributions Ms. O’Connor accepted from those who own or are officers of four of the biggest developers in Santa Monica—Hines, Macerich, Century West, and Edward Thomas Companies. The complaints were filed on three separate occasions as campaign disclosure statements became available and Ms. O'Connor continued to accept illegal contributions.
In October 2014, the Santa Monica Transparency Project filed complaints with the City against then Mayor Pam O’Connor, alleging 34 violations of Santa Monica law relating to campaign contributions she had received from major developers after voting in favor of their large projects. These serious allegations relate to batched contributions Ms. O’Connor accepted from those who own or are officers of four of the biggest developers in Santa Monica—Hines, Macerich, Century West, and Edward Thomas Companies. The complaints were filed on three separate occasions as campaign disclosure statements became available and Ms. O'Connor continued to accept illegal contributions.
First Amendment to Complaint
- 1st Amendment to Complaint, Attachment R
- 1st Amendment to Complaint, Attachment S