Dixon Distributes Mailer Accusing Rival of Violating State Election Laws

Thousand Oaks City Council candidate Marshall Dixon has gone on the offensive against fellow challenger Linda Parks, accusing her in a mailer of violating election laws and being a puppet of Councilwoman Elois Zeanah’s “machine politics.”

Dixon’s campaign officials also plan to file complaints with the state Fair Political Practices Commission today against Parks and fellow slow-growth candidate Dan Del Campo regarding what they see as violations in both expenditures and contributions.

Parks has contacted her attorney about the mailer, which she called a “hit piece.” She said none of the allegations it contains are accurate.

“It’s part of their campaign to attack me,” Parks said. “It’s got nothing to do with the issues facing this city.”

In particular, Dixon said Thursday that Parks failed to mention her $600 candidate filing fee in her campaign finance reports, and that Parks and Del Campo have been raising money separately, but spending it together.

“I and my committee felt compelled to register some kind of protest against the disregard or plain sloppiness of her campaign,” Dixon said. “We know she did not list her $600 filing fee, and she has never filed an amendment.”

Parks acknowledged that she and Del Campo are sharing expenses, but said there is nothing wrong with that approach.

“These accusations are coming from their group, not citizens or the city clerk or the state,” Parks added. “That’s what bothers me most about this.”

City Clerk Nancy Dillon said that FPPC regulations send mixed signals on whether candidates are required to list their candidate filing fees as a campaign expense. But she said it is clear to her that Del Campo and Parks have not collected and spent money according to the intent of election law, if not the letter.

“They filed as independent candidates with separate committees, and now they’re splitting expenses and contributions down the middle,” Dillon said. “Residents who give $100 to Dan Del Campo don’t always know that some of that money will be used to help Linda Parks.”

Dixon contends that his mailer is absolutely truthful.

“I was encouraged to send out so-called hit pieces that would have made these look mild, and my integrity would not let me do it,” Dixon said. “I only wanted to send things I knew were true.”