Panel Clears Councilman’s Housing Deal

The state Fair Political Practices Commission has determined that it was not improper for a Carlsbad city councilman to receive preferential treatment in purchasing an Alga Hills home.

The commission Thursday said that Councilman Mark Pettine committed no improprieties in buying a house from the Fieldstone Co. under its VIP program, which allowed him to be high on a waiting list.

“After a commission review of this particular case, it was determined that a financial interest did not arise from (Pettine’s) participation in the non-binding reservation program,” said commission spokeswoman Sandra Michioku.

The commission received a complaint against Pettine in April, two months after Carlsbad city attorney Vince Biondo had requested an opinion from the commission concerning Pettine’s purchase of the house.

Biondo said he had received both oral and written opinions from the commission in February affirming that Pettine’s actions were legal and proper based on a similar case in Watsonville.

“There was nothing to investigate,” Biondo said. “The facts were publicly known, and the councilman had asked my advice before he purchased the house. I consulted the commission, and there was an opinion already written on it.”

Michioku said the commission’s advisory arm acts independently of its enforcement division, which investigates citizen’s complaints.

“The commission provides advice to public officials about their obligations under the law, and that would apply to prospective action,” Michioku said. “The commission also is responsible for enforcing the law so when the commission receives a complaint about an alleged violation, then it will bring enforcement action.”

Pettine, a deputy district attorney, could not be reached for comment.