Hoa Clock Ticking

 

Tick, tock, tick, tock; the accountability clock is ticking. Word on the street is there are some members of the Democratic Party of Orange County who will ask the Party Central Committee to reconsider its endorsement last month of Hoa Van Tran if amendments to his campaign finance reports are not filed with the Registrar of Voters by the next meeting on Monday, May 19th at 7 pm.

We’ll have to wait till then to see what if anything happens, but the accountability clock is ticking. This is getting as stupid as Janet Nguyen not disclosing the names of the donors to her “illegal” legal defense fund last year.

Come on Hoa, just get it over with and report your “actual” expenditures. And while you’re at it, if your contributions received are not all reported you should amend that part too.

87 Comments

  1. Sean,

    Behind what? Demanding that Democrats follow the rules? Hoa is the bone-head who cannot seem to make sure that expenses of his campaign are reported properly as required by law. If he can’t do that, why should he be elected Supervisor? And why should he retain the DPOC endorsement?

    Hoa Van Tran currently holds the endorsement of the Democratic Party of Orange County. In effect the Party is verifying his credibility. If he proves to be not credible, it is prudent for members of the Party Central Committee to suggest reconsideration of their endorsement.

    I am simply reporting what I know from members of the Central Committee. Only members of the Central Committee can move forward such a resolution.

  2. Chris,

    I certainly hope you stay vigilant in your crusade against Dems when issues arise around candidates not managed by Edgardo Reynoso.

    You and I both know there is more to this than “following the rules”. There is a concerted effort to undermine Hoa’s campaign. It is clear to those of us that are truthful with ourselves that this effort reaches far beyond your crusade here on this blog.

    It will be quite interesting when everything shakes out and the rats are exposed to the light. Of course by then Janet Nguyen will have won re-election and the mission will have been accomplished.

    The Republicans will once again keep their domination of Little Saigon in place and so-called party leadership will be wondering how they will ever make in roads into the Vietnamese community. Brilliant!

  3. Sean,

    My concerns about Hoa’s campaign are about his ability, or lack thereof, to supervise the people runnng the operation of his campaign.

    As far as there being some kind of clandestine plot to undermine Hoa Van Tran’s campaign is concerned, there is little evidence to suggest that his campaign is anything more than smoke and mirrors. Not really much to undermine.
    Further, the problems that have arisen are Hoa Van Tran’s responsibility. He has had plenty of time and plenty of warning to clean this mess up. It is not my fault, that the mess is so obvious that it begged for further investigation. Hoa has chosen to ignore the wise advice given to him more than a month ago to file amended returns and fix the problems.

    Hoa has chosen to let Edgardo Reynoso do all the talking and thinking. It is his campaign, his responsibility, and there is no excuse for his apparent willful ignorance.

    Sorry Sean, the stupid mistakes may be Reynoso’s fault, but Tran needs to take charge and act responsibly. Until then, he deserves every hit thrown at him, be it from the right or left.

  4. Chris,

    As I said the truth will come out and those responsible will be held accountable. I don’t believe that you would be engaged in trashing a Democratic candidate unless you got an okay from somebody within the Democratic establishment. When I have said things that folks at the county headquarters didn’t like I heard about it.

    I am sure that if somebody of some stature did not want the continual bashing of Hoa’s campaign to continue it wouldn’t. I am not so naive as to believe that this is all of your doing. There are others involved and they should have the courage to come forward and let themselves be known.

  5. If Hoa would just follow the very simple rules on reporting of income and expenses wouldn’t this just all go away?

    These filings only seem to be difficult to those who are not honest in their reporting. Heck even bad candidates can fill out these simple forms.

    Don’t think it’s any democratic leaders stopping Hoa from submitting the truth!

  6. Has Hoa or his campaign been found in violation of anything at this point? Anyone can file a complaint and make allegations. Nothing has come of any of this other than a bunch of blog posts and pontifications.

    Who is behind making these allegations and for what reason are they making them?

    One would have to rather naive to believe that this is simply about the rules or the filling out of forms. Somebody has an axe to grind with Hoa’s campaign manager Edgardo Reynoso. This has more to do with Edgardo than it does Hoa and his campaign.

    When the truth is fully disclosed and the players fully exposed people will be quite surprised.

  7. If you like Hoa so darn much how come you filed against him while he was standing right next to you at the Registrar of Voters?
    it is BS for you to lord over everyone the fake mantle of being a Hoa man/ Democrat while you are on the Van Tran payroll.
    You are so two faced and sketchy.

  8. Hoa and his campaign have not been “found in violation” of anything — because it takes a finder of fact, a tribunal of some sort, to make such findings.

    But do we know that they violated reporting laws?

    Yes we do! The mere fact that Hoa is a candidate means that he paid the filing fee and the candidate statement fee. And those were not in his report!

    Nobody can grind an axe with Reynoso if Hoa would just amend his disclosure.

  9. For the record Sean, the violations are clear. I have the documentation to back up the allegations and that was provided to Shirley Grindle and included in her complaint.

    Having filed a few of these reports myself, I do know what to file, and the missing information contained in the story I wrote last week is as I said irrefutable.

    One of the people behind these allegations is ME! I do not just throw this stuff out like some other blogs. I have verified every allegation I have made personally.

  10. If it is as cut and dry as you claim Bolsavik then why bother with an investigation lets just proclaim him guilty. Much of what is being spread around about Hoa comes from those that want to go after Edgardo.

    Could it be that moles/rats were placed within Hoa’s campaign to undermine it from the start?

    Ask yourself who is it that is making these allegations and who it was that recommended them to Hoa’s campaign. Perhaps some answers can be found there.

    These are questions that need to be answered before we all jump on the lets bash Hoa bandwagon.

  11. Chris,

    Why would these folks have kept documentation to incriminate Hoa and made copies of it to distribute to bloggers if they were not in this to undermine the campaign to begin with?

    In fact weren’t these people making the allegations responsible for some of the very mistakes they claim have been made?

    Do you completely deny that there are folks involved that have an axe to grind with Edgardo?

    Do you deny that there are some folks who claim to be loyal Democrats actually helping out Janet’s campaign? Do you deny that some well connected Dems have been trying to recruit students to work for Janet’s campaign?

  12. “And don’t forget the Gang Bangers”

    That sounds like an awfully racist statement. Young urban Latino’s work for Hoa’s campaign. As do young Asians and older folks of all races.

    Would you prefer that these young Latino’s were out cruising the streets?

    You sound like a true blue liberal. Just like the libs in Boston that rioted when Black youths were bussed into their communities. How despicable of you.

  13. So Sean your admitting here right now that they aren’t Gang Bangers. Let me show you the Parole reports. Let me also show you the police reports where 2 of them got arrested the night of the fundraiser at original mike’s

  14. How would you be able get your hands on “parole reports”? Somebody must be violating the law if they are sharing reports about juvenile’s with you.

    Perhaps you can tell us how you got your hands on such reports. Again if people are looking into arrest records and parole reports of campaign workers, this campaign against Hoa run deeper than just Chris and Jubal.

    So what if some of the young urban Latinos have ties to street organizations. Are they not allowed to participate in the political process? Don’t you think it is better that they are doing something constructive rather than hanging out in the streets?

    How elitest of you.

  15. Let’s stop beating around the bush.

    Sean made an allegation that Chris has received the green like to go after Hoa from a top Dem party official(s)

    Chris is this true?

    I know you have your suspicions about Hoa but what about the Eduardo factor.
    Would State senator Lou Correa let his brother-in-law work for a spoiler candidacy that ultimately goal is to elect a supposedly more conservative pro-Van Tran candidate?

    BTW-I remember talking to Lou about Janet’s sole Vietnamese pandering ways and her racist “Mexican” propaganda and he said “she has done a good job”

    Sean, there is nothing wrong with cruisin.

    Then Sean, if someone wanted to look up and confirm an arrest and conviction(s) of someone all they have to do is go to OC superior court link. It public information!
    I try to understand the last comments but is somebody trying to insinuate that a campaign form was not submitted because a background check was not done on a campaign worker with a checkered past.
    A back-ground check which would put an unfavorable light on the Hoa’s campaign

  16. I can understand a bitter ex-employee making many types of allegations, but I don’t think said employee could force the campaign to fail to report important financial information. That responsibility lies with the campaign manager, treasurer, and candidate.
    As for Edgardo, his employment has nothing to do with his family relationships. Does your brother-in-law control which offers are made to employ you? And which offers you are allowed to accept?
    Reynoso has his faults, but he’s been doing this work since before Correa first ran for Assembly.

  17. Sean,
    Can you elaborate on high level Democrats recruiting students to work on Janet Nguyens campaign?

  18. Sean @9:40pm

    Why are we waiting for an investigation instead of just proclaiming Hoa’s guilt?

    It’s like witnessing a guying chopping up his wife. You still report it to the police and still wait for a verdict from the court. But, in the meantime there’s nothing wrong with saying that he has killed.

    An investigation may also show who ELSE he’s killed.

    So we know Hoa’s failed to report the filing fees. (Unless someone convinces us that the ROV took his candidacy paper without the fees.)

    But we want an investigation to confirm the allegations re the other expenses.

    And the in-kind contributions too.

  19. Sean,

    I think you should get your facts straight before you start coming after me.

    You ask: Why would these folks have kept documentation to incriminate Hoa and made copies of it to distribute to bloggers if they were not in this to undermine the campaign to begin with?

    The documentation for the genesis of all of this is at the Registrar of Voters. It is in the form of two checks written from the Hoa Van Tran For Supervisor campaign account for his filing fee, and candidate statement. When the reports were filed that fact that under $1,900 was reported in expenditures jumped right off the page. I knew that Hoa had staff (including Edgardo) on the payroll and I figured he paid them by check. I believed that he had paid his filing fees by check. None of these expenditures were reported. This “incriminating information” came in the form of public records, not any former or current staff.

    I checked. I asked. And yes, I found a former staffer who was willing to get copies of the payments they received by check from the campaign. It is actually really easy to do. You ask your bank for a copy of the checks that were deposited into your account. That information merely expanded the level of certainty that something was wrong. The unreported checks used to pay the Registrar were actually enough to validate what I suspected. The fact that no payments to staff were reported for a time period that I knew there were staff employed by the campaign made the fact of concealment of expenditures clear.

    To suggest that a former staffer worked for the campaign, from its beginning stages, for the purpose of undermining the campaign is beyond paranoia. You assail the character of a former staffer who left a campaign that they clearly believed was breaking the law. Turns out, from what I have found the staffer is right.

    You ask: Weren’t these people making the allegations responsible for some of the very mistakes they claim have been made?

    Not really sure how you would be in a position to have knowlege of the duties of former paid staff, unless Reynoso is feeding you misinformation. It is simply bull crap to suggest that a former staffer is responsible for the failure to report. The former staffer had nothing to do with the reports. That was the job of Phu Do Nguyen, the campaign Treasurer. Edgardo Reynoso, the Campaign Manager and the Candidate.

    But let’s assume for argument that this former staffer was responsible. Why was this staff member’s compensation not reported? It should have been obvious to the Treasurer and Hoa that the payroll for staff was missing from the report. And the staffer could not reasonably be blamed for a reporting error if they did not work for the campaign.

    At any rate, this former staffer was neither the campaign manager or the person responsible for financial reporting. The Treasurer and candidate are responsible for the accuracy of the reports.

  20. There is no conspirisy to “get” Hoa or his campaign. Whatever fallout happens to Reynoso for his decisions as a campaign manager are his responsibility.

    Campaign disclosure is not rocket science. If you get money in a certain period of time you report it. If you pay your expenses out of your checking account during ta reporting period you record those same expenditures on your report. You do not accept or pay for things with cash, unless under $100 and you report all of that.

    If someone donates hotel stays for you campaign staff so that the campaign does not have to pay for it, this is an inkind contribution, subject to all disclosure rules and contribution limits.

    Finally Sean, it is not the act of an individual reporting possible improper conduct that is a problem. The law make it pretty clear that if you know about a violation and fail to report it, you can be charged with conspirisy to violate that law.

    The problem is when a campaign or candidate flagrantly fails to follow the laws. The problem gets worse when the candidate, after being told that there are possible violations, willfully ignores the problems and fails to correct them.

    The fault lies with Hoa Van Tran, Phu Do Nguyen, and the campaign manager Edgardo Reynoso, who told them they coud do what they have done. The fault lies with Hoa Van Tran for ignoring the warnings that major problems exist, rather than doing anything to correct the problems.

    I don’t really know a lot about the allegations of gang members working on the campaign. But there is evidence that members of the local gang KPC have been seen, and photographed with the candidate, in his office.

  21. “Then Sean, if someone wanted to look up and confirm an arrest and conviction(s) of someone all they have to do is go to OC superior court link. It public information!”

    Joey,

    Not if they are juveniles.

  22. “You assail the character of a former staffer who left a campaign that they clearly believed was breaking the law.”

    Chris,

    They left because they were fired.

  23. Sean, be careful about the allegation of whether or not someone was fired. Other than in your writings you do not to my knowledge represent Hoa, or his campaign. You are claiming something that relates to a personnel matter to be fact for which you have no first hand knowledge.

    If you are simply relying on Reynoso, who lied about the authorization for the use of Sal Tinajero’s photo in a mailer, I would think twice.

    On the matter of whether or not gang members are working on the campaign; maybe this picture will help explain why people have that impression.

  24. Chris you have no first hand knowledge yourself. I have been told this by the campaign and I will stick with what they told me.

    Btw, I hope Janet appreciates all you are doing to help her campaign.

    In regards to “gang members” working for the campaign, if that is true are you saying that they don’t have the right to be involved in the political process like the rest of us?

    If so, that is a very elitist position to take.

  25. Sean,

    Do you deny that there are some folks who claim to be loyal Democrats actually helping out Janet’s campaign?

    The only Democrat helping out a Republican campaign in the First District that I am aware of is Hoa’s new BFF, Paul Lucas.

  26. “The only Democrat helping out a Republican campaign in the First District that I am aware of is Hoa’s new BFF, Paul Lucas.”

    Well then Chris perhaps I should write a post and name the names of the folks involved. Once we air all the backroom and underhanded dealings of those folks, local Dems will look at their party in a different way. I am trying to spare the party the embarassment.

  27. Chris,

    The picture that you posted above is the property of the campaign. Obviously your mole stole that picture and gave it to you in an effort to undermine the campaign and to play on the racist fears of folks in the community.

    How unethical and despicable.

  28. I would make sure you source check your “intell” further than Reynoso if you want to go there.

    If you want to save the party and yourself some embarrassment stop shilling for Reynoso and encourage Hoa to correct his disclosure reports.

    You can throw out all the names you want; nobody is going to believe the information came from anyone but, proven liar, Reynoso.

  29. If Hoa is providing an opportunity for at-risk youths, young men who may have been (or still be) involved in gangs, to engage in productive civic activities, then all the power to him.

    That doesn’t change anything about his failure to amend the financial disclosures, which seems to be rather uncontroversial and so easy to do, though.

    How hard is it to just copy off information from your checkbook to the disclosure form?

  30. Pretty unethical of moles/rats to steal a photo that is the property of the campaign. Makes you wonder what else they may have stolen. I will be contacting the campaign and let them know that this breach has occured and have them look into what else may have been stolen.

    I also find it quite disturbing that so-called liberals are sinking to playing the race card in an effort to undermine the campaign of another minority Democrat.

    The publishing of this picture is the Lib OC’s version of the “Willie Horton” ad.

  31. Okay Sean,

    Enough.

    The linkage between Reynoso and alleged or wannabr gang members is historical, not unique to this campaign. He has had his “kids” threaten more than one volunteer or worker over the fast couple years that I am aware.

    The issue here, as Bolsavik points out, is Hoa’s failure to report his expenditures. Gang member relationships are merely ancillary to the discussion.

  32. Chris,

    If the issue is “ancillary” then why did you feel it necessary to publish a photo that was stolen from Hoa’s campaign?

    Whether you intended to do so or not, the use of this photo plays on the racist fears of people in the community. This is the type of tactics I would expect from the folks on the right.

    Janet should be real happy with you doing this given her history of racist mailings attacking Latinos. Make sure you send her a copy of the stolen picture so she can use it in her campaign.

  33. Chris,
    I would be careful about stating that I am helping any republican candidate in this BOS race.

  34. Sean,

    get off your high horse and face the facts. Edgardo is a low life scumbag and Hoa has made a grave mistake involving himself with him.

  35. Thug Life,

    First of all I would like to congratulate you on choosing to further racist stereotypes of urban Latino youth.

    Lets face some facts. A mole stole a photo from computers at Hoa’s campaign. That photo was used in a “Willie Horton-esque” fashion.

    And you call yourself “liberals”.

    Calling Edgardo names doesn’t diminish the unethical standard set here.

  36. Sean,
    Youre beating a dead horse. Chris is on a mission and nothing is going to stop him. He has sunken to the depth of Art Pedroza in his “Investigative Journalism”. I would like to know where Chris Prevat earned his Journalism Degree. What College did you graduate from Chris? Inquiring minds want to know.

  37. “Urban Latino Youth”, call it what you like Sean, I’ll call them gangsters when they throw up gang signs. Or are those urban latino signs of endearment for the democratic process?

    And don’t give us this holier than thou arguement that moles are unethical, you know just as well as everyone reading this post that if those photos were taken in Janet Nguyen’s office and leaked you would be calling out Janet.

    I’m not name calling, I’m stating facts and looking at Edgardo’s track record. Just because I’m a straight shooter doesn’t mean i’m not a liberal, I just don’t bother myself with the double-speak that comes from people like you.

  38. Paul if youi sign a letter that is passed by Dina’s /Van’s people at the Oc REPUBLICAN central committee meeting you are in fact working for their campaign.

    No amount of lying will change the facts. You have made into the inner circle of the Trannies and are so Trannielicious.

    So quit threatening people and point the finger at yourself.
    You cant get elected to dog catcher this year, so get off Van’s payroll and get go back to being an engineer. You are not well suited to being a Trannie stooge.

  39. Chris Prevatt at 11:11am,
    You need to stop posting under fake identities. It shows that you have no back bone.

  40. Everyone-

    Calm down, please! Outside of the 10 usual suspects who obsess over all this Paul Lucas drama, none of us care. Can you all please stop with the outrageous accusations? This whole 1st Supe race has devolved into the Theatre of the Absurd, and the Paul Lucas stuff is the most absurd melodrama in this entire melodramatic campaign. But please, must we obsess about it even more on this blog?

  41. LOL Bolsavik,
    Let me clarify. The only one (INHO) who is running on misplaced obsession in regards to my role (actually lack there of) is Chris Prevatt. I actually enjoy your blog, comments and observations made in this BOS drama. I don’t always agree with some of your statements but for someone who is relatively new to the blogosphere, I think you do a really good job. You have taken some digs at me in the pat. But I do believe that you avoided in the most part a lot of hyperbole, and gratuitous reaching of conclusions a la Prevatt Pedroza style. In summary, I hold your journalism prowess with respect and reverence. You have always conducted yourself with journalistic integrity even when we are on the opposite side opinion wise on the issues. I do enjoy your wit and sarcasm and I do believe you avoid being malicious in your blog, comments and stance. I hope that clears it up amigo. :o)
    Paul

  42. Paul. Did you or did you not take signed letters to the GOP Central Committee meeting slamming Janet? Did you think that was a good idea? Was it out of revenge for Janet not appointing you to a commission. You have said she helped you in your 06 race against Van. Are you claiming that exposing her wasn’t going to help Dina? You can spin this all you want, but the one thing you want is to be on the GG City Council. Do you really think we are all dumb enough to believe that you and Dina didn’t cut a deal? You can spin it anyway you want, but your lies are catching up with you…

    Sean. What is wrong with Chris investigating Hoa’s camp? I certainly don’t want an alledged unethical Dem in office. Same goes for Nativo “Larry” Lopez. He was a crook that needed to be recalled. I would rather work with an honest rep rather than a crooked dem. I commend you for your loyalty to Hoa, but sweeping the “charges” under the rug isn’t helping him. It’s a HUGE distraction. All he needs to do it clean up the report and DONE!

    And BTW – I was a volunteer on Lou’s campaigns. Edgardo was always slamming Lou’s staff and anyone else that challenged him. He is very good at calling people names. He has done it before, is doing it now and will do it in the future…

  43. “Same goes for Nativo “Larry” Lopez. He was a crook that needed to be recalled. I would rather work with an honest rep rather than a crooked dem.”

    So tell me what crimes was Nativo convicted of? In fact what crimes was he ever charged with?

    History has shown us that the SAUSD has gone further downhill since the recall of Nativo and his replacement Republican Rob Richardson has overseen much of the corruption surrounding the district.

    Those responsible for Nativo’s recall should be held accountable for helping to destroy our schools.

  44. And those responsible for dodging the point should be held accountable as well. Come on Sean, you’ve dodged my points about Edgardo being a scumbag AND Clarifications. Don’t accost us for feeling one way and then not be able to back up your end of the deal. It’s one thing to be a “good” Democrat and another to be a “good” Democrat with a concious.

  45. Clarification at 132PM I will answer your questions and charges in the order receieved:

    1. No I did not take a letter to the OCGOP Central Committee. Thats the premised promulgated by Prevatt.

    2. Was it revenge for not getting an appointment? Np absolutely not. I have articulated that on many occasions.

    3. Helping Dina is not nor was it ever the goal in my actions. In fact it seemed to have the opposite effect.

    4. As to the allegation that Dina and I have cut a deal, I cn only answer by stating flatly no. There was/is no deal to speak of.

    I hope this clarifies things for you.

  46. Sorry Sean. I forgot you and Nativo were close friends… But your comments show an unraveling. Is everything a conspiracy or just anyone that disagrees with you…

    Paul, how did the OCGOP get a signed letter by you? Are you saying you had absoultely nothing to do with it? That the man on the grassy noll is out to get you too, just like Sean?

  47. TL,

    I don’t believe that I am dodging anything. You stated your opinion in regards to Mr. Reynoso and provided nothing to back it up with. So you don’t like him, I get it.

    I don’t know Edgardo other than the few times I have spoken to him in regards to Hoa’s campaign. I do not feel that it is my place to judge him based on the limited interaction I have had with him. I will however state that I am impressed for his wanting to include folks that might otherwise be left out of the political process into his campaigns.

    The young men and women that I have met that work for Hoa’s campaign have all been very respectful and well mannered. I find it offensive that folks who have never met them continue to slur them.

    I became a Democrat because I saw this party being inclusive. I left the GOP because I believed that had become a party of exclusion, be it gays, Latinos or the working poor. I think these attacks on Hoa’s campaign staff are very reminiscent of the things that led me to leave the GOP.

  48. Paul — Chris doesn’t post under any name other than his own, so let go of that crap right now.

    Hoa/Edgardo — if you’re reading this, the delay in filing paperwork, which is a simple process, is idiotic. Keep this up, and I think the Party is within their rights to yank their endorsement. Edgardo, if you are indeed runnning this show, if you can’t get the paperwork filed correctly, never run another campaign here again. This is just rank incompetence.

  49. Paul didn’t literally take the letter to the Republican Central Committee but he did sign the letter. Nice try Paul you Trannie liar.
    Lie #1
    Everyone knows you are mad as hell for Janet not appointing you.
    Lie #2
    You have been getting a helping of Dina for months.
    Lie #3
    Paul you went from broke and desperate for money to Flying to Washington DC, buying a new suit, and plunking down $1,400 to file.
    Usually people who have money also have a job. I didnt know working ten hours a weak with the mentally disabled was so profitable.
    You magically were able to pay all of your bills plus extravagant expenses. LIar Liar Pants on Fire!
    Lie #4

  50. What happened at the big double secret Lucas Trial the Dems had last night?

    Did he get sent to the Democratic Guantanamo Bay of Orange County?

  51. Chris,

    I asked Paul at DL a few weeks ago if he gave the Trannies permission to use his signature, on the infamous letter in question. He said that he did not. So I asked when he was going to sue them. He said he was not going to sue them. I don’t understand this. If Paul’s signature was used without his permission, shouldn’t he sue the Trannies? I know I would.

    BTW, I am not sure why Paul is ripping your, or me for that matter. I have pretty much dropped this story. Hoa Van Tran is a joke, and sadly Paul too appears to have become a political disaster.

    However, that said, Paul told me today that he is backing Hoa, not Dina. He seems to be having trouble figuring out which Trannie to back…

  52. Art,

    It is really difficult to follow which story is which with Paul. Paul has admitted to signing the letter. He has claimed however that he did not write it. Not a significant distinction, but important to Paul.

    For what it’s worth, Paul says he supports Hoa. We will have to take him at his word on this one.

  53. For the record, I have never claimed that Paul delivered a letter to the GOP Central Committee. I have said, and it is a matter of fact, that Paul signed a letter to the GOP Central Committee regarding Janet Nguyen. I believe I even posted a copy of the letter.

    Also for the record, this thread is about the clock ticking for Hoa to file amended returns. He needs to file amended returns before the DPOC Central Committee meeting on Monday night. If he does not, he is likely to lose the Party endorsement.

  54. Chris and Pedroza coming together as one really shows just how ridiculous this witch hunt has become. Janet must be so proud of the two of you.

    The bashing of Paul Lucas has become equally ridiculous. Paul isn’t the one trying to destroy the campaign of the only Democrat running in the first district. Paul isn’t the one using a stolen picture as a means to play on the racist fears of voters.

    As far as Hoa losing the endorsement of the DPOC I doubt that it really matters. How much has that endorsement done for him? Lou and Loretta never really had the support of the DPOC until of course they won. Lou and Loretta still operate outside the party structure when it comes to their campaigns.

    It looks like all the hard work making inroads into the Vietnamese community done by the likes of Lou, Loretta and Jose Solorio is going to be thrown away by those of you who have an axe to grind with Edgardo Reynoso. The Republican stranglehold on Little Saigon will continue thanks to you.

    Congratulations.

  55. Unbelievable. All’s well and good, and then out of nowhere, Chris slams Paul AGAIN, like A MONTH LATER, as “the only one trying to help a Republican in the race” or something (please don’t make me wade through all those inane comments to look it up).
    To my knowledge, Janet is a Republican. So his trying to hurt her may marginally help another Republican …. and so he’s de facto a trannie? Is Bob Barr an Obamaton? Was Ross Perot a Clintonista? Your logic, while YOU FRY A DEM, is amazing. At least unlike Chris, Paul wasn’t actively trying to hurt any Dem.
    Whatever. For the record, I think it’s important to hold our own people to the same legal and ethical standards we would hold the Reeps — but then you twist it again when it comes to Paul, IN FAVOR OF A REPUBLICAN (Janet) while you’re trying to crucify Hoa, who’s at least nominally a Dem. If you’re gonna crucify a Dem for bad behavior (Hoa), fine. But why shift focus to Paul, who has nothing to do with this? Are you feeling a little bit guilty?

  56. Interesting that Sean brings up Senator Correa and Congresswoman Sanchez.
    Combined they have over 20 years of service to the people of Central OC. Plenty of time to hone their political instincts. Yet neither of them has chosen to endorse the sole Democrat in this race. Might they know something we don’t?

  57. LC,

    You know what else is gonna be interesting? Seeing what type of legal action is going to be brought against the person or persons responsible for stealing from Hoa’s campaign.

    The photographs from Hoa’s campaign floating around the local blogosphere, including the one published here, are actually property of Hoa’s campaign. They were downloaded from campaign computers and then given to bloggers in order to smear Hoa’s campaign.

    I hear legal action is pending. It will be interesting to hear what comes out in the deposition and or the cross examination of those responsible. You can be sure that the photographs aren’t the only campaign property pilfered. I wouldn’t want to be the one responsible. The legal fees could be quite high.

  58. Can anybody determine what gang signs these obvious workers claim to be assoicated with?

    The white guy in the middle seems a little nervous about gang signs and all.

    Don’t get me wrong but shouldn’t a campaign consider the likelyhood of a voter opening the door, after they saw La Smiley or one of those pelones come up the driveway.

    Then, I can only imagine the campaign telephone pitch,

    Worker:

    Hello fool,

    Dude, like I said I’m Hector from the OC. Hoa Tran is a vato loco like me and he supports ustedes. He’s for the Mexican peoples and hates the racist Mexican hater Janet.

    Caller:

    Well young Fella, I didn’t understand a word of what you were saying or selling or whatever, please take me off your do not call list…

    Worker:

    Chala Fool, I’m saying you need to vote for Hoa

    Caller: Hangs up

  59. Joey,

    Thank you for perpetuating racist stereotypes of urban Latino youths. I’d expect garbage like this from right wing sites, but you so-called liberals doing it is quite surprising.

    I realize you can’t be a racist because you support Obama, right?

    I hope Lou and Loretta see what kind of garbage is being spread and the vile anti-Latino tone that this has taken on. This anti-Hoa movement is sure bringing folks racist tendencies out of the closet.

  60. Sean

    I’m latino and I wouldn’t consider myself remotely liberal.

    I’m not supporting Obama at this time but have supported Lou and Loretta in the past

    I think you confused me with someone else but no problem because we are still cool and united by our Alumni.

    I guess I got caught up on a comedian “Mencia” episode where he coment on images that are reality and if somebody makes a statement (verbal or non-verbal) than you don’t try to sugar coat it as not the reality, just to please some bleeding heart.

    Those homeboys made a statement that is used to identify their gang.

    We have a serious gang problem in the central county and dealing with this issue won’t get resolved if you refuse to acknowledge it by saying this is some sort of stereotyping.

    I have no problem with giving these guys a job but shouldn’t that be based on be free from gang anything. For sake there are plenty of deserving Latino kids that don’t have job and would probably welcome a job and they would resort to backsliding to something negative…gang life and crime

  61. Sean,

    You can be sure that the photographs aren’t the only campaign property pilfered.

    You appear to be accusing someone of theft. Interesting accusation from someone who doesn’t really know Edgardo that well. I am also surprised that if a theft has occurred that it has yet to be reported to the authorities.

    You might consider that the photos in question could have come from anyone with access to the campaign computers, could have been posted in the campaign office in plain view, or could be evidence related to complaints related to a hostile work environment. Your leap to theft is a bit far fetched.

    If I were to have posted a photo of a bunch of Latino volunteers and called them gangbangers, that would indeed be playing on racists stereotypes.

    But I did not do that. I posted a picture of volunteers in Hoa Van Tran’s campaign office flashing gang signs. I could be wrong, but the flashing of gang signs is what strikes fear.

    Hoa Van Tran is not a victim of an effort to “destroy his campaign.” Hoa Van Tran is responsible for ignoring activity and conduct by his paid staff and volunteersp under direction of his campaign manager, that had the potential to destroy his campaign if not corrected,

  62. “You might consider that the photos in question could have come from anyone with access to the campaign computers”

    That does not give them the right to send those pictures to folks in the blogosphere as a means of trying to smear the campaign. The photos are property of the campaign, not the property of campaign staffers.

    “could be evidence related to complaints related to a hostile work environment”

    If this is going to be used as evidence why then is this mole leaking the photos to bloggers? You would think they would keep them handy in case they need to use them in court. Instead they are passing them around like a joint at a reggae concert.

    “I am also surprised that if a theft has occurred that it has yet to be reported to the authorities”

    I am told that legal action is pending and that your source better lawyer and quick.

  63. Sean — legal action is a two way street with this campaign. I have to question the legality of the way its being run.

  64. Sean,

    I presume that you are not speaking for Hoa Van Tran’s Campaign (officially).

    My guess is that any civil lawyers would need to wait in line behind the State Attorney general, the FPPC, or maybe even the OC District Attorney. But tell Edgardo to give it his best shot. They might consider that the threat of depositions isa two way street. Hoa, Edgardo, Phu Do Nguyen; all would also be subjected to deposition.

  65. Matt,

    I am not acting on anyones behalf. Common sense tells me that if you steal things from a former employer there may be some legal repercussions.

    I know for a fact that the pictures posted on your site and the one Chris posted here were downloaded from computers in Hoa’s office. Perhaps you’d like to share how you came in possession of them if you dispute that they were stolen from Hoa’s campaign.

    I have also spoken to folks that tell me that there is potential legal action pending. I am not issuing threats, just reporting what I’ve heard.

  66. One more time, Sean-
    Even if I believe your premise that a disgruntled ex- campaign staffer has an ax to grind against Hoa and Edgardo, please explain how that person can force the campaign treasurer to file an incomplete and inaccurate report.
    I look forward to your explanation.

  67. LC,

    I have no knowledge of campaign reports in regards to Hoa’s campaign so I won’t speculate on that matter.

    What I do know is that information belonging to the campaign was downloaded from campaign computers and distributed to bloggers in an effort to discredit and smear Hoa.

    People have continued to attack Paul Lucas regarding his involvement with Van Tran/Janet Nguyen. Perhaps they should start to question why a Democrat stole information from Hoa’s campaign and gave it to a Republican blogger in an effort to destroy the campaign of a Democrat.

  68. I don’t believe I mentioned your allegations of the theft of campaign property (a PHOTO) in my earlier question. That’s a distinct issue from this one.
    And I’ll take you at your word that you have no knowledge of improprieties with respect to a financial report (though the charges have been detailed here and many other places).
    So please respond to this hypothetical:
    Say I am a former staffer with issues with the campaign. How would I coerce the campaign treasurer to violate numerous campaign finance laws with respect to filing of the report?
    Please describe a scenario in which this is possible.

  69. LC,

    I am not going to deal in the hypothetical.

    Yes charges have been made, but I’ll wait until all the facts come out and not just rely on blogs, bloggers and disgruntled ex-employees for my information. These folks all have an agenda and are trying to use the issue of these reports to push it.

  70. Perhaps you’d like to share how you came in possession of them if you dispute that they were stolen from Hoa’s campaign.

    A blogger calling on another blogger to reveal his source, Sean? Tsk.

  71. Matt,

    The police call it “being in possession of stolen property”. I am quite sure that once legal action begins folks will be singing like canaries.

  72. Isn’t that what Nixon said about Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers?

    Good luck with the threats. I think the last thing your friend Edgardo wants is legal prying into the what goes on in Hoa’s campaign office.

  73. Sean,

    Other than your “warnings” of legal action, I haven’t seen any verifiable reports of theft from Hoa’s campaign office. If I’ve missed this please point me to that story.

    There has been a lot of detail posted/reported/filings about Hoa’s campaign reporting deficiencies. You should read some of them and decide if Hoa needs to come clean on this.

    Anyone who has worked a campaign knows that photo’s get sent around all the time. Unless you know who took the picture, who stored the picture, where it was stored, and if this was the only copy of the picture ever distributed, it is hard to call use of the photo a “theft”.

    Looks like Hoa’s staffers were having fun and freaking out the guy in the center of the photo. Wouldn’t expect this photo was taken to be placed in a mailer, and was probably taken as a joke by a staffer. It would be very doubtful if staffers were required to sign non-disclosures, so sometimes these things happen.

  74. I just fail to see how a single “disgruntled ex-employee” (or even a group of them) can possibly be held responsible for the campaign’s apparent failure to completely report contributions and expenditures.
    Blaming the messenger here just doesn’t pass the smell test with me.
    I think you’re trying to use the theft of a photo (ever heard of emailing a file?) to try to distract readers from this basic point.
    I have a hunch you refuse to provide a hypothetical scenario because there is NO PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION.

  75. Good points,, just…asking.

    But what Sean’s doing is trying to shift the topic of conversation away from Hoa’s clear violations of TINCUP and failure to remedy them.

  76. Sean I said it over at OC Blog, and now here. Why are you not holding them accountable as you did Janet, for failure to report campaign filings correctly and whitholding information?

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