MONTEREY PARK : Mailer Is Attempt to Intimidate Voters, State Says

A consultant for a development company that had wanted to build a card club in Monterey Park last year sent out a mailer to 13,000 city residents apparently designed to discourage “eligible citizens from voting” in an upcoming City Council election, according to an investigation by the Secretary of State’s office.

Steven G. Mott, a consultant for BCTC Development Corp., sent the English/Chinese mailing within the past few days, highlighting rules and regulations regarding voting by mail, said acting Secretary of State Tony Miller.

Monterey Park Councilman Sam Kiang, who is seeking reelection and forced the developer to drop the card club bid last year by having the council state its opposition, said he believes Chinese Americans who support him were the target of the mailer.

The mailer contained various provisions from the Elections Code and was prefaced with the statement: “To avoid fines up to $10,000 and/or penalties up to 36 months’ imprisonment for illegal voting practices, understand and obey the law.” No return address was included but it was purported to be from Sacramento, Kiang said.

The matter will be referred to the district attorney’s office for investigation of possible violations of the Elections Code with respect to the intimidation of voters, Miller said.

“After a preliminary investigation by this office, it appears that the mailing was intended and is having the effect of discouraging eligible citizens from voting,” said Miller.

BCTC officials confirmed that Mott was a company consultant but said he was on sick leave and they could not comment on the mailer. Telephone calls to Mott were not returned.