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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
By Brian Hews
Last week, a Hews Media Group–La Mirada Lamplighter investigation revealed that a committee called Residents for a Better La Mirada (RBLM) was funded by Diamond Construction to the tune of $6,500.
The construction company that donated money to RBLM listed its company address as 921 N Harbor Blvd. #622 in La Habra.
HMG-LML went out to the La Habra address and found it to be a PO Box in a UPS Store located in a strip mall.
Further investigation revealed that Diamond was owned by Stelian Onufrie, an Eastern European living in Buena Park.
RBLM was responsible for six mailers slamming District 1 candidate John Lewis and District 2 candidate Pauline Deal; mailers that angered many La Mirada residents.
Lewis’ main competitor is Tony Aiello; Sarega’s only competitor is Pauline Deal.
A few days later, HMG-LML exclusively reported that there was strong indications that Aiello, Sarega and RBLM were coordinating their efforts.
Coordination between an “Independent Expenditure” (IE) committee such as RBLM and any candidate(s) is a violation of Fair Political Practices Commission laws under the Political Reform Act.
USED THE SAME PRINTER AND POST OFFICE IN TEXAS-
According to campaign documents, the three direct mail pieces sent out by RBLM against Deal and Lewis were printed at Print Place located at 1130 Ave. H East in Arlington, Texas.
They were mailed from zip code 76161, which is a United States Post Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
Examining District 1 candidate Tony Aiello’s campaign documents show his mail pieces printed at Print Place 1130 Ave. H East in Arlington, Texas.
And, similar to RBLM’s mailers, Aiello’s mail pieces were postmarked and mailed from the same US Post Office in zip code 76161.
Examining all of Sarega’s mail and campaign flyers show printing at Print Place 1130 Ave. H East in Arlington, Texas. One mailer Sarega sent out was postmarked out of Arlington, Texas where Print Place is located.
In addition, all direct mailed flyers were very similar in design, indicating the same graphics designer was used for RBLM, Aiello, and Sarega.
Additional Collaboration Found
Now further examination shows collaboration between Sarega and Aiello, not only on campaign administrative details, but with similar donations.
According to Sarega’s LinkedIn page, he is co-founder of SAS Marketing.
An internet records search indicates that SAS and Andrew Sarega is the registered owner for Aiello2017.com which is Candidate Aiello’s campaign website address.
A similar search shows that that SAS and Andrew Sarega is the registered owner for Andrewsarega.com which is Candidate Sarega’s campaign website address.
Aiello’s URL registration page, on bottom shows the registrant as Andrew Sarega, records from the La Mirada City Clerk show that the San Bruno address is the same. Click on image to view larger document.
In addition, Aiello’s and Sarega’s campaign documents show donations from identical companies: Tam’s Burgers, Boulevard Burgers, and Mr. V’s Bar and Grill.
Mr. V’s currently has a code enforcement issue with the City relating to an outdoor patio the owner’s built without proper notification to the City.
But the intriguing donation to both candidates was very large with respect to La Mirada politics, with both candidates receiving $2,500 from ATV in La Mirada.
ATV, also known as American Tire Depot, is a $103 million company, owned by Ara Tchaghlassian. American Tire Depot has 42 locations in California with over 340 employees.
ATV on Aiello’s campaign document. Click on image to view larger document.
ATV on Sarega’s campaign document. Click on image to view larger document.
And finally, documents show that a company called SAS Marketing in Santa Fe Springs was paid by both Sarega and Aiello for Banner and Yard signs.
Banner and Yard sign expense paid to SAS Marketing by Sarega. Click on image to view larger document.
Banner and yard sign expense paid to SAS Marketing by Aiello. Click on image to view larger document.