Anaheim Insider here.
The OC Register picked up on the issue I’ve been posting about: Mayor Tom Tait’s conflict-of-interest issue regarding being an OCTA Director when his company has a contract with the OCTA. I examined the validity of Tait’s rationalizations in this post.
Another point to consider: California Government Code 1090:
1090. Members of the Legislature, state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees shall not be financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members. Nor shall state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees be purchasers at any sale or vendors at any purchase made by them in their official capacity.
As used in this article, “district” means any agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries.
Mayor Tait isn’t merely a Tait & Associates employee. He owns Tait & Associates. He has a financial interest in all Tait & Associates business, including the contract with OCTA. He will soon be a member of the OCTA Board of Directors. State law states “…city officers or employees shall not be financially interested in any contract made by…any body or board of which they are members.” The facts here match up with what Government Code 1090 prohibits.
The Silence of the Lambs
The Orange County Register has covered this issue, at least in a cursory way. The Voice of OC, which considers itself an investigative news agency, has ignored it. If this were Kris Murray serving on the OCTA Board of Directors while WIlldan had an OCTA contract, Adam Elmahrek would have posted at least three articles by now (while finding some way to connect Murray to Lee Harvey Oswald), but he gives Tait a pass (wouldn’t want to burn a source). Cynthia Ward and Greg Diamond of Brea would be screaming about “crony capitalism” and howling for her removal. In this case, they go into see-no-evil mode.
Your point is well taken. If you research Tait and Associates you will find they have several different business names. Sadly what we are seeing is money talks and, well you know…
And Code 647 (f) too!
Someone should file an official complaint – this does not add up and should be investigated! 1090 is the oldest and broadest conflict law on the books and Tait’s explanations don’t even pass the smell test. The courts have always narrowly interpreted this law.
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