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A press release from District Attorney Vern Pierson and deputy district attorney James Clinchard announced that civil charges were filed Friday against Dan Dellinger and Christopher Alarcon on suspicion of “fraudulently obtaining taxpayer financed contracts with the Pioneer Fire Protection District (PFPD) related to illegal campaign activity to expressly advocate a position in favor of the passage of a tax increase (Ballot Measure F) which voters approved in November, 2011.”
The pair, who operated under the business of Dan Dellinger Consulting, are being charged with one count of an illegal public gift, two counts of negligent and unlawful use of public resources for campaign activity, one count of illegal acts of expenditure of local agency funds to support the approval of a ballot measure and one count of of unlawful business practices, “for their illegal taxpayer funded express advocacy in support of a tax increase.”
The press release stated that, in May 2011, PFPD had been debating on hiring a campaign consultant in order to assist them with a “parcel tax measure.” An El Dorado County supervisor suggested Dan Dellinger Consulting to a PFPD board member, relating a long list of past clients, many former politicians of the county. A later list cited nine specific politicians, among them Judge Steven Bailey, Supervisor Ray Nutting, Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, Senator Rico Oller and Sheriff John D’Agostini. The impressive list helped the PFPD board in their decision to hire the pair for nearly $30,000.
The terms of the contract allegedly said in no uncertain terms that taxpayer money would be used to hire and pay the duo. According to the press release, “The impermissible, tax payer funded, express advocacy of Defendants included the following: an ‘Outline for Successful Passage’ of the measure to raise taxes; a ‘win bonus’ of $12,000 if the measure passed; ‘coaching’ the PFPD to generate positive news stories; creation of a ‘Parcel Tax Passage Plan’; a plan for ‘neighbor to neighbor … sales persuasion’ for passage of the measure to raise taxes; a plan to have at least three ‘push polls’ (a political tactic used to surreptitiously sway voters toward the position of the poll taker); creation of the “Argument in Favor” language to be supplied to voters in the election, which was signed by five other people as if they wrote it; creation of the campaign committee ‘Save Pioneer Fire — Yes on Measure F’; and preparation and dissemination of flyers for a BBQ ‘Yes on Measure F Fundraiser.’”
The El Dorado County Grand Jury ordered the District Attorney’s Office to file civil charges in June 2011. Judge Suzanne Kingsbury subsequently authorized an order releasing the evidence found by the Grand Jury, the press release stated.
The restitution requested, according to the press release, is as follows: For counts 1 and 4, $10,00; for counts 2 and 3, $1,000 per day of the violation, plus three times the value of public resources that were unlawfully used; for count 5, a civil penalty of $2,500 per day of violation for unlawful and unfair business practices related to the contracts.
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Walking TallJuly 29, 2012 - 1:33 pm
Facts are omitted; it was Ray Nutting who brought Dan and Chris to PFPD and it was the three of them that put together the list of references. Judge Bailey has never been a client of Dellinger's or Alarcon and the money received was filtered to Ray's lie, cheat and steal type of politics. This was nothing more than a illegal tax scheme that the three little pigs put together for their win at all costs plan. Follow the money and who donated to who as payment and the truth will be seen.
Burning QuestionsJuly 29, 2012 - 7:40 pm
This is a perfect example why it is never a good idea to endorse ANY candidate. You'll likely be found culpable and your name dragged through the muddy political PR Pond Cesspool. Too many wolves in sheep's clothing...Properly vet all candidates and ask probing questions before you cast--and potentially waste--your vote. Kudos to the Grand Jury for a job well done, but it's only the tip of the iceberg.
John StevensJuly 30, 2012 - 8:13 pm
State is preparing to send out SRA (Fire Tax)Fee bills to counties starting within the next week or so. Nutting actively spoke in opposition to the fee while actively working to pass the PFPD measure. Did their campaign literature ever mention the pending SRA fee? Property owners in the Pioneer District can now expect two bills in the coming months for enhanced fire protection services. While nutting could not stop the state's SRA fee, he could have prevented the property owners of Pioneer from receiving two additional tax bills this fall. Clearly, his priority was the paid campaign work and his buddies and not the best interest of the constituents. With so many on fixed and tighter incomes - just what was he thinking? How can he sleep at night? As for current and future political candidates - now you know the truth about the three of them. Cannot hold you accountable for hiring them in the past, allowing them into the innter circle and in Nutting's case, endorsing him again and again; however, it is what you do next that matters.
clear out the weaselsJuly 30, 2012 - 10:10 pm
Is anyone who watched the Nutting/Turnboo campaign really surprised about this? George Turnboo told you he was honest and he is, but all the dirty money from big interests got Nutting elected. How sad for District 2. Ray Nutting has the dirtiest hands of all in this Measure F thing, and Dellinger and Alarcon were his two primary weasels in getting this measure through. When is someone going to investigate the biggest weasel of all---Ray Nutting? Does anyone really doubt that he was behind Measure F which rips off the struggling people of his own district? I hope people who were taken in by Nutting's untruthful blathering are finally seeing the light. You missed getting the best candidate and continue to be represented by a lowlife. Just my opinion......
On the other handJuly 31, 2012 - 8:32 am
Measure F ultimately came down to having a local fire department presence in the south county. Other fire districts in the county have the same type of additional funding as approved in Measure F. This is vastly different than Cal Fire tapping every parcel with a livable structure starting at the Sac-ED county line. Everything else on this sub-topic is personal bias and little more. It certainly appears that a number of people did not know the law starting with the PFPD Board who seems to have been given a free pass in this process. The interesting angle is the civil charges rather than criminal charges which can indicate potential selective prosecution. Seems like everyone involved should named or no charges filed.
Walking TallJuly 31, 2012 - 9:59 am
Justice has an underlying meaning in our county; "Just Us", as we have seen it all depends upon who you are and how you fit in the political picture. Some don't get reported on others receive a light sentence and still others walk away free of any charges. When you follow the money it all comes clear, donate and get that all important free pass. With all the information and evidence that has been found why no charges have been filed, proves the facts are not important it's who you are. Maybe someday the GOB's will fall and we will be free of their type, all we can do is wait and vote.
Ken SteersJuly 31, 2012 - 11:05 am
The reality is that these guys usually work for peanuts on campaigns. I must admit that they have built quite the resume of backing politicians who have won through out the years. I was actually surprised by some of those listed who I view as friends. There seems to be a vacuum in our county of people willing to work on campaigns. I couldn't understand why a small fire district would agree to giving these two chuckle heads $29,000 of the tax payer's money in the first place. But if one is not cognoscente of campaign cost or process and the sitting Supervisor Nutting suggest the hiring of these two. I can see how the thought process played out. Considering Nutting only paid Delinger $3500 for a years work on his last campaign, I wonder just how shocked Nutting was when he found out Delinger charged $29K to the small fire district. I'm sure he was shocked.
Wonder WizJuly 31, 2012 - 4:50 pm
Ken Steers - Truth of the matter is these guys don't work for peanuts, but they will exchange under the table "favors"--if you know what I mean. The reality is Nutting REPORTED $3700 paid to Dellinger for consulting. Mtn. Demo was paid $2702.60 for ads; Clipper $4691.51 for ads; Landslide Communications $672.50 for ads; Windfall Publications $105 for ads; Spot On Signs $2,600.82 for signs. Unless I missed something, NOTHING was visible about his arrangements with Alarcon. Kinda makes you wonder why this article appeared on page 3 instead of front page headlines...
John StevensJuly 31, 2012 - 6:44 pm
I think it is important to consider that Dellinger has been in politics, within the State Legislature and as a consultant, and should have absolutely no excuse for his actions. While Alarcon's past is a bit more shaded, he has been involved enough to know better. If nothing else, a recent Mountain Democrat article regarding Alarcon's plea deal to I forget how many charges from a separate matter, should confirm his lack of respect for this community and the law. As he is a member of the EDC Taxpayers Association and one who never hesitated to scrutinize others, he was just as aware that he was taking public funds for his work. Should also be noted that Alarcon used a Public Defender, paid by our tax dollars, for his defense in the recent matter. Do we get to pay for his defense again with this one? It is unfortunate that the Pioneer Fire Board was duped by these two and their agent Nutting. Yes, local districts are struggling and the funds generated by the Measure are probably much needed by the District, but it is Nutting talking out of both sides of his mouth that makes this yet another disgusting chapter. Nutting made sure to have his name all over the Board's formal opposition to the proposed SRA Fee. Equally sad that some may actually believe the three of them did this because they were concerned about the residents in the Pioneer Fire District. The three of them are in a quasi-consulting business together and this was nothing more than business to them. Spend some time in the Elections Department and ask to review the required campaign disclosure documents. Hopefully this commuity will stand up and show the three of them, and their character assasination political tactics, the door. We deserve better.
Vicki MAugust 01, 2012 - 10:55 am
To Ken Steers--it is pathetic that you would try to say Ray Nutting didn't know anything about the money and was "shocked". Are you kidding me? Ray SENT Dillenger and Alarcon to the Fire District. Are you telling me he didn't know what they were going to do? Either you are covering (badly) for your very good friend, Ray, or you are in it with them.
Ken SteersAugust 01, 2012 - 11:10 am
Vicki M you genius! You got me, I'm both. For selfish reasons I must admit. Because how can there be a good'ol boys club if there aren't any boys left? I get lonely...
Vicki MAugust 01, 2012 - 5:00 pm
Have another drink, Ken. You might start making sense.
Ken SteersAugust 01, 2012 - 6:32 pm
Vicki M why don't you have one for me. Everyone knows who was involved in conning the Pioneer fire district as well as the Eldorado county tax payers. Usually these things have been covered up by the good old boys. This one just got started. Many more things to follow. Hats off to Joe Harn for spotting it. And kudos to the Grand Jury for investigating this criminal act.
Burning QuestionsAugust 01, 2012 - 9:56 pm
Steers - You're talking out of your butt. If "everyone knows who was involved" in the Pioneer con job, then for Pete's sake, how the hell did Nutting win the election?? Are all those voters ignorant GOBs like you? Do your homework and get the facts before you open your mouth.
Ken SteersAugust 02, 2012 - 8:27 am
BQ, to your question If "everyone knows who was involved" in the Pioneer con job, then for Pete's sake, how the hell did Nutting win the election?? I suppose the answer is relativism. Case in point D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. He was caught on film with a crack pipe in his mouth and a prostitute in his bed and was still re-elected mayor. Then served a prison term and was then elected to DC's town council. What I would ask to the voters is why do these politicians listed on this article and many more continue to hire these two? What I use as a barometer to who I back in a race today, is who has these two on their campaign team and I will support the other candidate. I go out of my way to tell the candidate that I won't support them unless they remove these two. That's been to no avail. There are a couple of situations this campaign season where both candidates have used them, then I support neither. I feel that the best way to neutralize these scum bags is if people would volunteer more on campaigns. Get more involved in our counties politics and watch more closely what our politicians are doing. Because I guarantee you that there is a G.O.B. network in our county. Like a mole on our face that changes colors. We can chose to ignore it or we can remove it.
tired of the good old boysAugust 02, 2012 - 11:51 am
Ken, you are tiresome. You are one of the good old boys and are just trying to excuse your actions. And I have to question the Mountain Democrat, too. This paper apparently is pretty slanted. In the reporting about the suit against Alarcon and Dillenger, the Mountain Democrat got the information about who the Supervisor was who sent these doofusses to PFPC (Nutting) but chose not to use his name? Why not? Is this paper in the pocket of Nutting and friends and is trying to protect him?
VIcki MAugust 02, 2012 - 11:58 am
You just don't make sense, Mr. Steers, and you don't get your facts straight. Brian Veerkamp and George Turnboo never used the services of Dillenger or Alarcon. I don't think they would even be in the same room with those slimeballs if they didn't have to during the campaign. Alarcon is so low he published in PRPond the obituary of a man who had not yet died, just to make a headline and a jab at an opponent. But Nutting, Barb, and Stracener have all used their services or at least been very tight with them. You know that as well as I do, but I have to question where you get your information. I think you make it up to cover your own rear. People laugh at you, Ken, including the RCC.
voterAugust 02, 2012 - 12:29 pm
Ken Steers, are you saying you would vote for a candidate caught on film with a crack pipe in his mouth and a prostitute in his bed simply provided his campaign team didn't include Alarcon and Dillenger?
Burning QuestionsAugust 02, 2012 - 12:43 pm
Steers has a bad case of oral flatulence. One has to question who perhaps might be paying him to take up space in this article or if it's just an egotistical need to see his name in print. Birds of a feather...The GOB company he keeps is a good enough reason to STEER CLEAR of his political BUM STEERS.
Mark TruthmyerAugust 02, 2012 - 1:08 pm
I find it a little odd that a Grand Jury would take time to investigate a civil matter, then order the District Attorney to file civil charges. Civil charges? Really? I think this is all just left over from last years Sheriff's election. It's not hard to figure out, both the same District Attorney who filed those civil charges and Ken Steers just happened to be in the opposing camp from Dellinger and Alarcon during last years extremely heated Sheriff's election. Then to top it off, after numerous claims of criminal misappropriation of public funds surrounding Therkildsen (which both the D.A. and Ken Steers indorsed), instead the Grand Jury investigates this. All sounds like just a simple case of payback.........
Ken SteersAugust 02, 2012 - 2:36 pm
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm actually talking to Alarcon and Delinger. Mr Truthmyer if this is your real name, the Civil Grand Jury handles Civil investigations. And I'm guilty as charged, regarding the fact I backed Therkildsen if for no other reason than these two scumbags were hell bent in destroying a good families reputation. Vicki I'm not 12 and this isn't the play ground. My feelings don't get hurt if someone laughs at me. Regarding Barb and Stracener, they have made a political decision to utilize these two and will be judged accordingly. Rico and Ray might have ulterior motives as to why they keep them two around. I have known both of them a long time and I've came to some conclusions but I'll leave it up to the Grand Jury.