Mansoor returns donations

Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor has returned almost $8,000 in campaign donations related his Assembly campaign, according to Secretary of State records.

The money Mansoor returned was given by companies and individuals who do business with the city.

Campaign contributions became an issue for Mansoor when some residents during a council meeting voiced concerns that some of the money given toward his race for the 68th Assembly seat, which is being vacated by Van Tran, R-Westminster, came from individuals who are directly involved with negotiations with Costa Mesa on the operations and financing of the Orange County Fairgrounds.

“It was brought to my attention that they had an issue coming to the council and as soon as that was brought to my attention, I immediately had my treasurer return the money so I can participate in voting,” Mansoor said.

Mansoor returned almost $2,000 to organizations and individuals related to Facilities Management West, the group exclusively working with the city on an operating and financing deal of the fairgrounds.

Mansoor returned $1,950 to C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the company that owns South Coast Plaza.

Mansoor said Costa Mesa City Atty. Kimberly Hall Barlow informed him that if he wanted to continue voting on issues such as the fairgrounds and projects that are being introduced by the Segerstrom company, he had to return the money.

“A lot of people contributed to my campaign, and I’m very grateful for it, but I completely complied in returning them as soon as it was brought to my attention,” he said.

The returned contributions were to:

Calacci, Garrett E. & Affiliated Entities: $2,626.18

C.J. Segerstrom & Sons: $1,950.00

Fait Insurance Partnership LLC: $500

Lemmons, Guy W.: $500

Meadows Asset Management LLC: $500

San Joaquin Oil Co.: $500

Calacci, Garrett E. & Affiliated Entities: $250

351 Bay St.: $249.00

Calacci, Garrett E. & Affiliated Entities: $249

Mesa Orchard Association LLC: $249

Santa Ana & 22nd LLC: $249

Total: $7,822.18