The state’s campaign watchdog agency, the Fair Political Practices Commission, has launched an investigation into allegations that Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento is failing to report sources of income on his annual financial disclosure statement.
A complaint was filed earlier this month by Santa Ana resident Tim Rush, and the FPPC notified him on October 17 that it was investigating the allegations.
The FPPC notified Mr. Rush in an Oct. 17, 2022 letter that they would investigate the complaint.
Sarmiento is required to filed an annual financial disclosure report known as a Form 700 in which he is obligated to disclose his sources of income, stocks and real estate assets and other finances that may pertain to the exercise of his mayoral duties.
Rush alleges that Sarmiento is not currently, and has not in the past, disclosed the income of his wife, Eva Casas-Sarmiento, on his Form 700s. According to Rush, Ms. Casas-Sarmiento holds the liquor license to, and is the corporate secretary of El Carnaval, a seedy drinking establishment in which Sarmiento has a financial interest.
Rush also states that Casas-Sarmiento is co-owner of Sarmiento’s law firm, but her income from it is not disclosed on the mayor’s Form 700.
In his complaint to the FPPC, Rush also says El Carnaval received a $13,000 Paycheck Protection Plan loan in 2020. Since the PPP loan was subsequently forgiven in full, it becomes income in the eyes of the FPPC and should have been included in Sarmiento’s Form 700, according to Rush.
Mayor Sarmiento has not responded to OC Independent’s request for comment.
