By John Earl
Surf City Voice

The Fair Political Practices Commission has cleared the chairman of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MET), John V. Foley, of allegations that he violated the Political Reform Act.

The allegations were made in a complaint filed by Merle Moshiri, a Huntington Beach resident, last March, alleging multiple income reporting and conflict of interest violations by Foley. The FPPC ruing is dated April 17.

Moshiri alleged that Foley failed to disclose at least $640,000 of income from his wife’s consulting business from 2004 to 2011 and another $15,000 that he earned as a private consultant to the Moulton Niguel Water District since he retired as that agency’s general manager in 2008. Moshiri claimed he also violated the Act by voting on issues that affected his wife’s financial interests.

Public officials are required by the Act to disclose all reportable income on financial disclosure (700) forms that are filed as public records with their local public agencies or the state. They are also required to disclose conflicts of interest and to recuse themselves from any votes that could result in financial benefit for them or their spouses.

The foundation for the complaint’s dismissal is a prenuptial agreement between Foley and his wife, Mary Jane Foley, which provides a loophole that arguably tests the effectiveness of the Act in protecting the public from conflicts of interest held by public officials. Continue Reading

Debbie Cook: Former Huntington Beach mayor monitors OC water boards

“There is virtually no independent thinking in the water industry. The incestuous relationships permeate every project, every water board, every conference, and the result is a streamlined approval process with virtually no transparency, no media attention and no public involvement.” Debbie Cook, writing in the Voice of OC in reaction to the Cadiz water project.