ETHICS COMMISSION IMPOSES FINES TOTALING $105,000

The Ethics Commission approved three stipulated orders at its meeting today, imposing fines totaling $105,000 for lobbying violations.

The three cases involved violations of the registration and reporting requirements in the Municipal Lobbying Ordinance. Lobbyists and lobbying firms are required to register with the Ethics Commission and report their lobbying activity on a quarterly basis, to help the public identify who is attempting to influence City action.

GSD22 Partners Corporation and its owner Steve S. Kim (Kim) admitted that they failed to register as lobbying entities in 2019 and failed to file disclosure reports for the fourth quarter of 2019. Kim and GSD22 Partners Corporation were fined $7,500. They have filed the required registrations and disclosure reports.

JCI Worldwide, Inc. (JCI) admitted that it failed to register as a lobbying firm in 2018 and 2020, and JCI’s owner, Seth Jacobson (Jacobson), admitted that he failed to register as a lobbyist in 2018, 2019, and 2020. JCI and Jacobson further admitted that they failed to file disclosure reports for nine calendar quarters. Jacobson and JCI were fined $65,000. They have filed the required registrations and disclosure reports.

A subcontractor of JCI, Crosby Consulting, and its owner Steven Crosby (Crosby) admitted that they failed to register as a lobbyist and lobbying firm in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and failed to file disclosure reports for seven calendar quarters. Crosby and Crosby Consulting were fined $32,500. They have filed the required registrations and disclosure reports.

“Disclosure is one of the most powerful tools available to the public,” said Ethics Commission President Shedrick Davis. “Today’s cases are a reminder that the Ethics Commission takes transparency seriously.”

All fines levied by the Ethics Commission are paid to the City’s general fund. Enforcement orders can be viewed and searched through the Ethics Commission’s Public Data Portal.