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“In towns and cities... there is no more important institution than the local paper.”
Warren Buffett
La Mirada Councilman Andrew Sarega.
By Brian Hews
A Hews Media Group-La Mirada Lamplighter continuing investigation of La Mirada Council District 2 candidate Andrew Sarega has revealed that RRK Motors, Inc., a California Corporation owned by Sarega, was suspended by California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB).
Page from Secretary of State’s website. Click on image to view larger document.
Page from Secretary of State’s website. Click on image to view larger document.
The primary ways an organization can become suspended include failure to pay taxes or failure to file tax returns.
Also, under the suspension, an organization cannot legally transact business and loses the right to use its name.
On the Secretary of State’s website, documents show Andrew Sarega listed as President and his dad Ion listed as Secretary of RRK Motors, Inc.
Click on image to view larger document.
RRK is located at 14545 Valley View Rd, # D in Santa Fe Springs.
Interestingly, it is the same address as SAS Marketing, which Sarega claims he owns on his LinkedIn page.
Page from LinkedIn. Click on image to view larger document.
No business information can be found on SAS Marketing other than a “doing business as” listing with the LA County Registrar Recorder’s Office.
HMG-LML visited the address and found RRK Motors listed on the door, which is a violation of FTB suspension rules.
Nowhere on the door was an indication that SAS Marketing was conducting business at the tiny storefront.
RRK Motors front door. Note the absence of SAS Marketing signage. Click on image to view larger document.
Click on image to view larger document.
Payments Made to SAS for Campaign Materials
Both Sarega and District 1 candidate Toney Aiello “paid” SAS over $2,400 for banners and yard signs for their respective campaigns.
It is unknown if the banners or yard signs were printed and actually used.
Aiello paying SAS Marketing for banners and yard signs. Click on image to view larger document.
Sarega paying his own company, SAS Marketing, for banners and yard signs. Click on image to view larger document.
The relationship between Aiello and Sarega has caused concern among La Mirada voters.
The relationship included HMG-LML presenting strong evidence that the two candidates could have collaborated with an Independent Expenditure (IE) committee called Residents for a Better La Mirada (RBLM).
RBLM sent out six direct mailed “hit pieces” against Sarega’s opponent Pauline Deal, and Aiello’s main opponent John Lewis. No other mailers were sent out by RBLM.
The mailers angered many La Mirada residents.
It is illegal for a candidate to coordinate with an IE under the Political Reform Act and the Fair Political Practices Commission.