The Factual "2023 State of Calaveras County" in a Word: Corruption

Board Chair Tofanelli is a scheduled speaker at the Chamber of Commerce State of the County event on September 22nd.

What Mr. Tofanelli will notably fail to reveal is a well-corroborated fact pattern; the State of the County is one of institutionalized endemic corruption borne of duplicity, backroom dealing and influence peddling by, and between, the Board of Supervisors and multiple business bureaus.

The leadership of the Calaveras Chamber of Commerce and the Calaveras Visitors Bureau, in league with willfully negligent and deceptive County Supervisors, allegedly engaged in multiple misrepresentations jeopardizing the County’s financial integrity.

The Board of Supervisors blatant corruption prompted the filing of three Grand Jury complaints in June.

Fifty thousand dollars in TOT revenue was egregiously awarded to the Chamber recently as the result of backroom dealing and influence peddling conducted by, and between, the leadership of the Chamber and several members of the Board of Supervisors.

This allegation is explicitly corroborated by a series of email and text exchanges between County employees and Chamber leadership, obtained by public records act responses.

In another recent instance of alleged corruption, the Visitors Bureau misrepresented its nonprofit corporation type as public benefit in the four-year, million dollar-plus Tourism Promotion Agreement with the County, finalized three weeks ago. 

This, despite the CVB having surrendered its public benefit status with the DOJ and Secretary of State in 2021, upon conversion to a mutual benefit nonprofit corporation.

Credible allegations have emerged of negligent or fraudulent misrepresentation by the leadership of the CVB, of which District 3 Supervisor Huberty is the Executive Director.

Furthermore, the CVB has allegedly been operating illegally without valid bylaws for more than two years, and allegedly induced, partially or fully, the Board of Supervisors and administration into signing the four-year funding agreement for tourism promotion under false pretense.

Public records act responses from County Counsel suggest the administration was not notified by the CVB of this change from a public benefit nonprofit corporation to a mutual benefit nonprofit corporation.

The mission of a mutual benefit nonprofit corporation is to serve its members, not the public, yet public tax funds are being diverted to the CVB despite the administration and taxpayers not having been informed of the CVB’s conversion in 2021.

The matter is under review by the Charitable Trusts Section of the Attorney General’s Office, the Legal Review Unit of the Secretary of State, and is being referred to the (Calaveras) District Attorney’s office for investigation.

The State of Calaveras County is Corrupt.

Learn more below: Click Here.

1. A Thumb on the Scale. The incoming District 3 Supervisor received a letter from the Office of Calaveras County Counsel on, or before, August 11, 2022, pertaining to him being “able to stay on as the CVB Executive Director,” while concurrently serving as the District 3 Supervisor. - June 30, 2023
2. Really? You call THAT encouragement? Calaveras Winegrape Alliance Executive Director and Board Members Launch Efforts to Torpedo Murphys Witch Walk - June 2021
3. Cease and Desist Letter sent to the directors of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, and Murphys Business Association - Restraint of Trade, Trade Libel, Defamation, False Light, and Tortious Interference - October 30, 2021
4. Cease and Desist Letter from legal counsel to Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, and Murphys Business Association from Legal Counsel - November 3, 2021
5. 15-Page Trademark Infringement Cease and Desist Letter with cover page to Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and Murphys Business Association - March 8, 2023
6. Second Trademark Infringement Cease and Desist Letter sent to Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and Murphys Business Association - March 14, 2023
7. Third Trademark Infringement Cease and Desist Letter from legal counsel sent to Murphys Business Association and copied to Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau and Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce - July 27, 2023
8. Collective Void of Marketing Sophistication and Legal Savvy to Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and Murphys Business Association - March 17, 2023
9. Letter to the Editor | Letter to Calaveras County Government - Restraint of Trade - All disaster movies start with an expert being ignored by Christopher Buttner - February 27, 2023
10. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Print edition - Restraint of Trade - All disaster movies start with an expert being ignored by Christopher Buttner - March 2, 2023
11. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Online edition - Restraint of Trade - All disaster movies start with an expert being ignored by Christopher Buttner - March 2, 2023 -
12. Cannabis Tourism Outline - $17 Billion Tourism Vertical - March 16, 2023 
13. Calaveras Enterprise - Front page article - Angels Camp business denied permit to host events: Calaveras County's $24 Million Wedding Industry in Peril - April 6, 2023
14. Pre-analysis to Calaveras County Visitor Bureau’s April 25, 2023 Presentation to the Board of Supervisors - April 24, 2023
15. Conflict of Interest | Calaveras Visitors Bureau's Board of Supervisors Presentation of April 25, 2023 - April 27, 2023
16. Calaveras Enterprise - Supervisors criticize (Calaveras) Visitors Bureau for not doing enough to promote west end of county - May 3, 2023
17. Street festival outline/proposed plan for expanded Murphys Main Street Festivals - Potential $12 million annual tourism revenue plan - Include 2023 Murphys Witch Walk/Festival Checklist - April 4, 2023
18. 2023 Murphys Witch Walk and Future Event Logistics Manual Creation Request - Shot down by Murphys Business Association President - May 26, 2023  
19. Murphys Business Association is Failing to Achieve Its Bylaws - August 2, 2023
20. Suspension of 2023 Murphys Witch Walk Transfers Burden of Mitigation Responsibilities to Martin Huberty, Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor, Martin Huberty, Executive Director, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, Jody Garcia, Executive Director, Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Michelle Plotnik, President, Murphys Business Association - September 11, 2023

1. Unresolved community concerns regarding the Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station under construction at Meadowmont Center. Nine page analysis report with cover letter - Addressed to Martin Huberty, District 3 Supervisor - July 25, 2023
2. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Sarah Jones - Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station Under Construction at Meadowmont Center - August 23, 2023
3. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Christopher Buttner - Calaveras County Visitors Bureau Promotion Agreement - August 23, 2023
4. Union Democrat - Letter to the Editor - Christopher Buttner - Repeal and replace EVCS ordinance - August 16, 2023 
5. Calaveras Enterprise - Sarah Jones - Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station under construction at Meadowmont Center - August 29, 2023
6. Ledger Dispatch - Letter to the Editor - Christopher Buttner - Repeal and replace EVCS ordinance - August 18, 2023
7. An Open Letter to All Citizens of Calaveras County - Public Safety at Risk by Christopher Buttner - August 2, 2023
8. Lahaina's Horrifying Fire Tragedy Can Happen in Calaveras County by Christopher Buttner - August 18, 2023
9. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Megan Fiske - Grand Jury Report - Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Legacy of Negligence -August 02, 2023
10. As referenced by in Megan Fiske's Letter to the Editor, above, Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report - Calaveras County Fire and Environment: Everyday is Earth Day - June 19, 2023
11. As referenced by in Megan Fiske's Letter to the Editor, above, Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report: TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS: What the Animal Control Services Department Can Do Right Now - June 19, 2023
12. Complete Streets and the coming impact on Murphys - Email to former District 3 Supervisor Merita Callaway - March 6, 2020 
13. Calaveras County District Attorney lets pedophile priest flee USA - October 3, 2023 - New Blog Post on October 3, 2023
14. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has agreed to investigate the decision by the Calaveras County District Attorney to drop charges against an indicted priest found liable for numerous sex crimes against children. November 6, 2023 - New Blog Post on November 6, 2023

If Calaveras County government, business bureaus and utilities can't make and save money for themselves, how can they make and save money for you? 

1. 2022 Annual Tourism Revenue ‘Real Purchasing Power’ Actually 5% Lower Than 2019 - June 23, 2023
2. $1,752,199.42... And... for what? Deep dive analysis of Calaveras County Tourism Marketing - Unrealized Revenue: Published to MurphysCalifornia.Biz in April 2023. 
3. Transient Occupancy Tax Revenue Funding of Calaveras County Visitors Bureau, California Raises Serious Legal Questions Regarding a Five Year Legacy of Fiscal Mismanagement, Conversion of Nonprofit Corporation Type, County and City of Angels Camp Contracts, and Institutionalized Conflicts of Interests - New Blog Post on September 27, 2023
4. Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Revenue/Expense Analysis - Part 1 - June 30, 2023
5. Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Revenue/Expense Analysis - Part 2 - June 30, 2023
6. Transient Occupancy Tax Revenue Funding of Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Raises Serious Legal Questions Regarding their Decade-plus Legacy of Fiscal Mismanagement and Institutionalized Conflicts of Interests... example.... the glaring appearance of conflict of interests and loyalties with three currently sitting Calaveras County Supervisors as former leadership of the Chamber - New Blog Post on September 27, 2023 
7. SEIU 1021 | BOS Conflict of Interest Vote - March 28, 2023
8. Tell SEIU 1021 No Funding of Calaveras County 2024 BoS Elections - July 2 2023
9. SEIU 1021's Thumb on the Scale of Calaveras County Elections - July 7, 2023
10. Proposed Calaveras County Water District water rate hike prompts Calaveras County citizen worries - August 31, 2023

1. Allegations, with corroborating evidence, of UNDISCLOSED CONFLICTS OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS by ALL current members of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors (Involving SEIU 1021) - June 2, 2023
2. Agenda Item #30 of the Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Public Comment Period - Ms. Andrea Colavita Pinkham, SEIU 1021 Labor Union Field Representative - Address to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Results in Above Grand Jury Complaint - March 28, 2023: YouTube.com Video Link: https://youtu.be/dH-rfdExyfo?t=887
3. Allegation that multiple District Supervisors of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Knowingly Supported the Intentional Mischaracterization of a Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda Item of Potential Financial Impact (Involving Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce) - June 5, 2023
4. Allegation of WILLFUL NEGLIGENCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY by all current District Supervisors of the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors (Involving Moaning Caverns Adventure Park) - June 6, 2023
5. Calaveras County Grand Jury Acknowledgement of Board of Supervisors Corruption Complaints - July 6, 2023 
6. Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report - Calaveras Cannabis Dis-Jointed Report - June 22, 2023 - Several articles in the Calaveras Enterprise, reports in other California counties, and by other news stories and reports regarding the changing conditions of commercial cannabis cultivation prompted the Calaveras County Grand Jury (CCGJ) to conduct this investigation into the local cannabis industry. During our investigation, we found that several California counties are suffering from inefficient, impractical, and uncoordinated cannabis regulatory programs. Calaveras County is among those counties that have allowed cannabis cultivation but have not developed a regulatory program that addresses all environmental concerns in the County. Problems created by poor regulation include little to no reduction in the number of illegal cultivation sites, excessive tax burden on those cultivators attempting to grow legally, harm to the environment from widespread use of fertilizers, pesticides and other processing chemicals, pollution of the county’s water system, and uncoordinated regulation from numerous county agencies.
7. Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report - Calaveras County Fire and Environment: Everyday is Earth Day - June 19, 2023 - In our effort to identify areas of operational improvement for Calaveras County, the Grand Jury researched issues related to the Calaveras County Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services (OES), the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and the Fire Agencies within the County. Due to recent events related to wildfires, climate change, waterway pollution, and cannabis agriculture, the Calaveras County Grand Jury (CCGJ) chose to focus our efforts on these agencies. In order to help reduce the risk of wildfires and improve public safety the Grand Jury has identified several areas to improve. Our main area of focus is to increase public safety. This would be accomplished by improving the use of alert systems, identifying opportunities for more effective land use options, and increasing the effectiveness of fire control and prevention measures. With the limited staff and resources available to the EMA, they are only able to track and monitor individual infractions involving environmental hazards. However, from a systems standpoint; tracking, compiling, and analyzing countywide data from multiple agencies is impractical due to the lack of data for strategic planning purposes.
8. Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report - TEACHING AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS: What the Animal Control Services Department Can Do Right Now - June 19, 2023 - The Calaveras County Grand Jury (CCGJ) decision to investigate the Calaveras County Animal Services Department was in accordance with California Penal Code §925 which states in part “...investigations may be conducted on some selective basis each year.” The Grand Jury was interested in assessing the overall operations of the facility as well as the operations and management of the Animal Shelter. The Grand Jury concluded that the Animal Shelter, built in the 1950’s, remains inadequate. As reported in past Grand Jury reports dating back to 1987, the shelter is understaffed, unsanitary, underfunded, overcrowded, as well as unappealing and in need of replacement.
9. Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury Report - Veteran Services Office: No Veteran Left Behind - May 26, 2023 - In the process of reviewing previous Grand Jury recommendations, the 2022-2023 Calaveras County Grand Jury (CCGJ) has identified improvement opportunities for the Calaveras County Veteran Services Office (CCVSO). With the resources allocated, CCVSO staff provides a high level of service to each veteran encountered. Past issues with consistent staffing and organizational changes have improved recently. However, the Grand Jury was able to identify areas that would help increase and upgrade service. With over 4000 veterans in the county and a small staff in CCVSO, any turnover in office staff will affect the quality and quantity of service to veterans. Succession planning and an increase in support staff would help provide consistent operations in times of staff turnover, vacations, or absences due to required training or other work.
10. Worth mentioning... CALAVERAS COUNTY MUNICIPAL CODES

• Prohibited activities—Conflict of interest.
• Code of ethics. 
• Prohibited activities—Designated - New Blog Post on September 25, 2023

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