By Robert Haugh
Disgraced former Santa Clara City Councilmember Dominic Caserta is back in the news.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has reduced the proposed fine for disgraced former Santa Clara City Councilmember Dominic Caserta to $22,500 from an earlier fine of $65,000 in August.
The higher amount was a “pre-notice.” According to the FPPC’s Jay Wierenga the “pre-notice” allows those involved in such cases a chance to resolve matters before a final vote occurs.
It’s unclear from the FPPC agenda for their October 17 meeting if the lower amount is also a “pre-notice.”
The FPPC found that Caserta and his campaign committee misused campaign funds for personal benefits (5 counts). The investigation also revealed misuse of surplus campaign funds, resulting in five additional counts including a payment to his spouse.
Caserta also failed to accurately report financial activities on his semi-annual campaign statement and did not maintain the required detailed campaign records.
Caserta ran unsuccessfully for Supervisor in the June 5, 2018, Primary Election. He withdrew from the race after being accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by multiple female high school students and campaign staffers. That year, he landed on the “Creep Sheet,” a publication detailing public figures accused of sexual harassment or assault.
Jed York and the 49ers were major contributors in 2018 to help Caserta with an independent expenditure.
They are doing the same this year to help City Council candidates Suds Jain, Albert Gonzalez, George Guerra, and Kevin Park.
Caserta has had meetings and offered political help to Jain and Anthony Becker who’s also running. But the 49ers have abandoned him after Becker’s felony indictment.
Despite his numerous problems, Caserta continues to work at Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD), where he taught history.
Caserta has not been allowed to teach in a classroom since 2018 and has an office job that is not defined, according to multiple sources.
Gonzalez was a member of the district’s Board of Trustees who had to decide on Caserta’s employment and legal issues.
In 2022, Caserta faced further legal troubles when he was charged with alleged fraud in an attempt to secure a $690,000 mortgage.
Andrew. The Jain and Caserts alliance was formed in 2018 by McGovern. The basis was 20 grand Caserta Supervisor IE money moved out by 49ers and saved till 2020.
Actually Mr Haugh been proven correct. The way I work is I refuse to hide truth. I am not all a fan of Mr. Haugh or his blog. But the tine lines prove him correct
May 16 2018. Caserta wihdraws
May 24 2018 the 49ers move about 20 grand the Santa Clarans for Caserta.
This 20 grand serves a basis for their 2020 commitee for Jain, Park, Becker.
Park comes up with 5 grand in 2020 to pay Jay Reed, whom Haugh traced back to Ed McGovern
I can refuse to like a person and still admit the truth.
Reed did nothing for Park. 5 grand is totally out of character for Park who once spent ten dollars on a campaign.
Jain, according to McGovern in 2019 had been flipped due to Caserta. Basis? Hatred of Lisa.
Haigh hit the target. I may not be thrled but he did
It does not sound like he will be to answer the question posed by your headline.
Can this man stop being in any of our lives? He was a weird lecherous abuser of his role back when I was in his class in 2001 (where he made the class do “mandatory extra credit” passing out his campaign fliers), and he’s been doing harm left and right ever since. Instead of reducing his fines, someone get him to jail.
Gee, who hates Lisa Gillmor the most? York, Caserta or Jain? Probably a toss up. Explains the alliance though. Yet, Lisa keeps beating them at their own game. Smart lady.
Caserta to Jain:
You are my council member!
Jain thanks him
1) Caserta outlines to jain. Campaign against Doyle, Santana and Gillmor
2) Jain and Caserta agree to get Flavored Tobacco on agenda.
A teacher working to get students to smoke?!?!
19/326 fppc agenda item 4, Caserta. Testimony and commentary will link Jain.
Jain and Caserts trxted each other in December 2020 and laid out the Jain atta k on LG, doyle and Santana. I have the texts.