FPPC will investigate allegations that Sacramento mayor had a conflict of interest in big box vote
 |
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson listens to councilmen Steve Hanson as the big box store topic is discussed on Tuesday night, August 20, 2013 at the Sacramento City Council meeting.
JOSE LUIS VILLEGAS — jvillegas@sacbee.com
|
The state's political watchdog has launched a formal investigation into an allegation that Mayor Kevin Johnson had a conflict of interest in the City Council's recent vote to ease restrictions on big-box superstores.
Eric Sunderland, a Sacramento Municipal Utility District employee and former city school board candidate active in local Democratic Party politics, filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission last month charging that Johnson had a conflict because he has solicited thousands of dollars in donations from Wal-Mart. Those donations, known as behests, went to nonprofits either controlled by Johnson or supported by the mayor.
Sunderland's complaint also alleged that Johnson had a financial interest in the big-box vote - which could lead to Wal-Mart opening a store in the city - because the Walton Family Foundation has committed $8 million to StudentsFirst, the education reform foundation run by Johnson's wife, Michelle Rhee.
The complaint also alleged that Johnson may have accepted gifts in excess of the limits set by state election code because Stand Up, an education advocacy organization he founded, funded travel for the mayor. Stand Up received $500,000 in donations from the Walton Family Foundation since 2011, according to the foundation's website.
The FPPC has notified Sunderland and Johnson that it is investigating the claims.
Wal-Mart and the Walton Family Foundation - which is not directly affiliated with the retail chain but is funded by the company's founding family - have donated nearly $800,000 to nonprofits and
