Calaveras County Corruption Blog Index

1. Part 2 - Calaveras County citizen drops bombshell allegation against Calaveras County elected and appointed officials of willfully orchestrated suppression of entrepreneurialism, tourism and business development. - March 13, 2025
2. Part 1 - Calaveras County's Malicious Business Development Suppression: Aggrieved Calaveras County citizens address the endemic, institutionalized, willful and malicious suppression of entrepreneurialism, business development and tourism to the Calaveras County Planning Commission and Calaveras County Planning Department Director. - March 13, 2025
3. Business Development Suppression Addressed to Calaveras County Board of Supervisors by the owner of 4 Horse Ranch, Lynette Smith-Covey - March 11, 224
4. Letter to the Publisher: Martin Huberty's Conflicts of Interest: "Particularly Disturbing." - November 7, 2024
5. Calaveras County Government's Extensive Endemic Corruption Report - October 22, 2024
6. Martin Huberty's Suppression of Entrepreneurialism Revealed - October 10, 2024
7. Conflict of Interest Much, Calaveras Supervisor Martin Huberty? - April 1, 2024
8. Calaveras Government Suppresses Public Comments on Corruption - February 13, 2024 
9. 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
10. Murphys Business Association is Failing to Achieve Its Bylaws - August 2, 2023
11. 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
12. 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
13. 2023 Murphys Witch Walk and Future Event Logistics Manual Creation Request - Shot down by Murphys Business Association President - May 26, 2023 
14. Calaveras Enterprise - Supervisors criticize (Calaveras) Visitors Bureau for not doing enough to promote west end of county - May 3, 2023
15. Conflict of Interest | Calaveras Visitors Bureau's Board of Supervisors Presentation of April 25, 2023 - April 27, 2023
16. Pre-analysis to Calaveras County Visitor Bureau’s April 25, 2023 Presentation to the Board of Supervisors - April 24, 2023
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. Cannabis Tourism Outline - $17 Billion Tourism Vertical - March 16, 2023 
21. 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
22. 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
23. Calaveras Supervisors Ignorant to Self-Inflicted Tourism Decline - February 27, 2023
24. General Public Comments to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on the Subject of Willful Suppression of Tourism Development and Innovative Entrepreneurialism. - February 14, 2023 
25. Cease and Desist Letter from legal counsel to Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, Calaveras Visitors Bureau, and Murphys Business Association from Legal Counsel - November 3, 2021
26. 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
27. Really? You call THAT encouragement? Calaveras Winegrape Alliance Executive Director and Board Members Launch Efforts to Torpedo Murphys Witch Walk - June 2021

1. Tesla Supercharger Poses Central Sierra Wildfire Threat. Irresponsibly sited Tesla Supercharger poses wildfire threat to Calaveras County communities and wilderness. Calaveras County Government Watchdog Publishes Wildfire Warning. The Calaveras County Government Watchdog: Available twice monthly in the Valley Springs News/Calaveras County News by Christopher Buttner. - Print publication: April 4, 2025
2. Concerns pertaining to the irrationally and irresponsibly sited Tesla Supercharger Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) behind the Arnold (Calaveras County) Meadowmont Center, addressed to the Calaveras County Conservation Resource District. - March 13, 2025.
3. Irresponsibly sited Tesla Supercharger in the town of Arnold, in Calaveras County, California, poses an extraordinary new threat of a catastrophic fire, of manmade origin and negligence. Four-county South Central Sierra Subregion, includes Stanislaus National Forest, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and forest communities, all under  potential threat of conflagration. - March 11, 2025
4. Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, addresses concerns to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board of Directors during the Quarterly Board Meeting on March 6, 2025, during the General Public Comments period, at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, Calaveras County, California, pertaining to the irrationally and irresponsibly sited Tesla Supercharger in the town of Arnold, also in Calaveras County, California. - March 6, 2025
5. Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, delivers General Public Comments addressing the potential of a Constitutional Crisis created by newly appointed, not elected, Calaveras County Sheriff Rachelle Whiting. - February 25, 2025
6. D-1 Supervisor Gary Tofanelli's Surprising Dark Horse Candidate - Published: February 6, 2025. Christopher Buttner’s Opposition Statement to Consent Agenda Item 5. Appointment of applicants to serve on various Committees, Commissions, Advisory Boards, Special Districts, and County Service Areas. E. 2025 F&G EHolt. January 28, 2025. 
7. Calaveras County Has A Pedophile Problem... So, is Calaveras a safe place to visit or live in? - October 3, 2024
8. Calaveras County Supervisors Commit to Inhumane Animal Treatment - August 30, 2024
9. Details Emerge in Flawed Calaveras Pedophile Priest Investigation. Mom says she has new evidence in priest sex abuse case. But California’s AG’s office denied her request - May 23, 2024 
10. Negligence of Fiscal, Public & Animal Safety in Calaveras County - A county government that allows pedophiles to flee justice and flourish in our communities, and let innocent and defenseless animals suffer for decades, appears to be irreparably broken and beyond redemption - April 10, 2024 
11. 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 
12. Calaveras County District Attorney lets pedophile priest flee USA - October 3, 2023 
13. Calaveras Enterprise - Sarah Jones - Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station under construction at Meadowmont Center - August 29, 2023
14. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Sarah Jones - Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station Under Construction at Meadowmont Center - August 23, 2023
15. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Sarah Jones - Arnold Tesla Supercharger Station Under Construction at Meadowmont Center - August 23, 2023
16. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Christopher Buttner - Calaveras County Visitors Bureau Promotion Agreement - August 23, 2023
17. Ledger Dispatch - Letter to the Editor - Christopher Buttner - Repeal and replace EVCS ordinance - August 18, 2023
18. Lahaina's Horrifying Fire Tragedy Can Happen in Calaveras County by Christopher Buttner - August 18, 2023
19. Union Democrat - Letter to the Editor - Calaveras County’s EVCS Ordinance Should be Repealed and Replaced - August 8, 2023 
20. An Open Letter to All Citizens of Calaveras County - Public Safety at Risk by Christopher Buttner - August 2, 2023
21. Calaveras Enterprise - Letter to the Editor - Megan Fiske - Grand Jury Report - Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Legacy of Negligence -August 02, 2023
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. 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
26. Complete Streets and the coming impact on Murphys - Email to former District 3 Supervisor Merita Callaway - March 6, 2020 

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

1. Update: All Continuing Incumbent Calaveras Supervisors are Under State Investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission. The Calaveras County Government Watchdog: Available twice monthly in the Valley Springs News/Calaveras County News by Christopher Buttner. - Print publication: April 25, 2025
2. All continuing incumbents are advised they are under investigation for multiple violations of the Political Reform Act for their respective failures to file accurate and timely campaign finance forms. - April 22, 2025
3. District 3 Supervisor Martin Huberty's Concerning California Fair Political Practices Commission Violations and Fraudulent Misrepresentation of the Calaveras Visitors Bureau's legal status. - April 8, 2028
4. Martin Huberty Called to Account for Double Digit FPPC Violations for Failing, in Part, to Timely Disclose Economic Interests - March 25, 2025
5. Calaveras D5 Supervisor Ben Stopper Educated on Burden of Proof - Published: February 6, 2025. Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, delivers General Public Comments on District 5 Supervisor Ben Stopper's attempt to have portions of Mr. Buttner's public statement stricken from the published record of the meeting because the statement included — quoting Ben Stopper — “allegations of malfeasance or whatever,” and that he “didn't hear… burden of proof.”
6. Calaveras County Visitors Bureau Integrity Questioned Again - Published: February 6, 2025. Christopher Buttner’s Opposition Statement to Regular Agenda Item 14: Receive a presentation from the Calaveras Visitors Bureau. Calaveras Visitors Bureau Executive Director Martin Huberty Called Upon to Resign on January 28, 2025. 
7. Calaveras County Citizen Demands Transparency on DA's Office Hire - Published: January 16, 2025. Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, delivers opposition statement in the matter of Agenda Item 17: District Attorney's Office appointment of a Family Member candidate pursuant to County Code Section 2.64.645 on January 14, 2025.  
8. Calaveras County Citizen Demands Transparency in New Deputy Hire - Published: January 16, 2025. Christopher Buttner, publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, delivers Opposition Statement to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on Agenda Item 16: Sheriff's Department appointment of a Family Member candidate pursuant to County Code Section 2.64.645, on January 14, 2025.  
9. Calaveras County Supervisors: The Perpetual Flow of Malfeasance - Published: January 16, 2025 - Christopher Buttner, Publisher of Calaveras2026Election.com, Delivers Blistering New Year of 2025 Endemic Government Corruption Statement During General Public Comments to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on January 14, 2025. 
10. Part 2-Did Supervisor Benjamin Stopper Violate the Brown Act? - Benjamin Stopper’s behavior violates decorum and demeans civility. - December 11, 2024
11. Part 1-Did Supervisor Benjamin Stopper Violate the Brown Act?  - This is the first of a multi-part, so far, expanding investigation into Calaveras County District 5 Supervisor Benjamin Stopper's potential violation of the Brown Act. - December 11, 2024
12. Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Updated on Their FPPC Scrutiny - November 26, 2024
13. Four Calaveras County Supervisors Under FPPC Campaign Scrutiny - October 16, 2024
14. Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Approves Additional Funding for SR-4 Wagon Trail Realignment Project - October 8, 2024
15. Calaveras District 3 Supervisor Martin Huberty's Theft of Time - October 2, 2024
16. Opposition Statement to Calaveras County Chamber Presentation - September 24, 2024
17. Wagon Trail Realignment Project Could Bankrupt Calaveras County - September 24, 2024
18. Wagon Trail Realignment Project: Calaveras' $53 Million Money Pit - September 24, 2024
19. Will the Calaveras Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeopardize Calaveras County's Financial Integrity? - September 24, 2024
20. Opposition to $50,000 in Transient Occupancy Tax Funding to Prop-up Calaveras Chamber - September 24, 2024
21. How Misguided is Calaveras Government on Fiscal Responsibility? - September 24, 2024
22. Calaveras County District Supervisors Under FPPC Investigation - September 14, 2024
23. District 5 Supervisor Ben Stopper's FPPC Complaint Public Notice - September 10, 2024
24. 2 of 5 Calaveras County Supervisors are Under FPPC Investigation - August 30, 2024
25. Calaveras Supervisors Disregard Blatant Conflict of Interest - August 30, 2024
26. Three of Five Calaveras County Supervisors Scrutinized by FPPC - August 30, 2024
27. Allegation State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Conducted Fraudulent Fundraising Activity - March 14, 2024
28. Allegation: Senator Alvarado-Gil: Fraudulent Fundraising Activity - August 14, 2024
29. Public Corruption Allegations Against D4 Supervisor Folendorf - August 14, 2024
30. Board of Supervisors Election is Partisan, Asserts Calaveras County Republican Central Committee - Letter to the Editor - August 8, 2024
31. Why does the County Continually fund Calaveras Visitors Bureau? - June 26, 2024
32. Sudden Resignation Draws Ire of Concerned Angels Camp Taxpayers. Calaveras Enterprise reports: "Questions raised about a lead Angels Camp city official’s departure and temporary replacement and the handling of code compliance complaints were addressed this past week." Calaveras2024Election.com poses questions to City of Angels Camp Mayor, legal counsel and leadership. - July 24, 2024
33. Amanda Folendorf Campaign Finance Irregularities Under Scrutiny. FPPC Complaint filed requesting investigation into unaccounted $8,454.72 labor union contributions to “Folendorf for D4 County Supervisor 2020.”  - July 9, 2024
34. Recommendation to Set-Aside Calaveras Visitors Bureau's 2024-2025 Transient Occupancy Tax Funding - June 25, 2024
35. Is the Calaveras Visitors Bureau an Outlaw Business Bureau? -  June 11, 2024. 
36. Conflict of Interest Much, Calaveras Supervisor Martin Huberty - April 1, 2024. 
37. Lack of Ethics and Oversight Addressed to Calaveras Supervisors - March 31, 2024. 
38. Taxpayer Rights: CVB Nonprofit Corporation Type and TOT Funding - March 31, 2024. 
39. Calaveras County's Leadership Brain Drain Continues Unabated - March 31, 2024. 
40. Letter to the Editor: Calaveras Government & Visitors Bureau Mischaracterize Revenue - December 12, 2023
41. 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 - September 27, 2023
42. 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 - September 27, 2023
43. Proposed Calaveras County Water District water rate hike prompts Calaveras County citizen worries - August 31, 2023
44. SEIU 1021's Thumb on the Scale of Calaveras County Elections - July 7, 2023
45. Tell SEIU 1021 No Funding of Calaveras County 2024 BoS Elections - July 2, 2023 
46. Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Revenue/Expense Analysis - Part 2 - June 30, 2023
47. Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce Revenue/Expense Analysis - Part 1 - June 30, 2023
48. 2022 Annual Tourism Revenue ‘Real Purchasing Power’ Actually 5% Lower Than 2019 - June 23, 2023
49. $1,752,199.42... And... for what? Deep dive analysis of Calaveras County Tourism Marketing - Unrealized Revenue: Published to MurphysCalifornia.Biz in April 2023. 
50. SEIU 1021 | BOS Conflict of Interest Vote - March 28, 2023
51. Calaveras Supervisor's Game of 3 Card Monte with TOT Revenue - March 24, 2023
52. Calaveras Supervisors Ignorant to Self-Inflicted Tourism Decline - February 27, 2023
53. Trial date set for former Ione City Manager, Lori McGraw - January 2, 2023

1. Wittke supporter wants absolute transparency, honesty & integrity - October 30, 2024
2. Late Final Calaveras Grand Jury Report Raises Legitimate Concerns - July 26, 2024
3. Where's the Missing 2023-2024 Calaveras Grand Jury Final Report? - July 8, 2024
4. Calaveras County Grand Jury Acknowledgement of Board of Supervisors Corruption Complaints - July 6, 2023 
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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.
12. 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
13. Worth mentioning... CALAVERAS COUNTY MUNICIPAL CODES

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

The Calaveras County 2026 Board of Supervisors election matters more than ever. 

Calaveras County District 3 Supervisor Martin Huberty and District 5 Supervisor Ben Stopper must be removed from office for the greater good of Calaveras County.  

Your vote counts. 

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