Candidate asked to drop out
Robert Chacon
The city attorney’s office is looking into allegations that city
clerk candidate Paulette Mardikian illegally used the city seal on
campaign fliers sent to residents.
The city seal appears on Mardikian’s flier -- which includes
photos of her with Sheriff Lee Baca and her husband, Glendale Police
Sgt. Vahak Mardikian -- next to a quote that highlights her role as
recording secretary for the Glendale Building and Fire Board of
Appeals Commission.
She has been employed with the city’s Building and Safety
Department for nine years, said Aaron Keshishian, her campaign
manager.
Mardikian was not responsible for including the seal on the flier,
Keshishian said, adding that she did not know the seal would be on
the mailer.
“Paulette approved the text only, and she did not check off on the
photos or design,” he said. “It was her consultant’s job to design
the mailer.”
Mardikian used “small-time” consulting firm Creation Consulting to
design the mailer, he added.
The city seal may not be used for anything other than city
purposes, according to Glendale’s Municipal Code.
“We have received a complaint,” City Atty. Scott Howard said. “The
matter is currently under review.”
Mardikian did not return phone calls.
The issue was reported to Howard by city clerk candidate Steve
Ropfogel, who called on Mardikian to drop out of the race.
“The most important job of the city clerk is, as the chief
election officer, to uphold the integrity of elections,” he said.
“How can she be entrusted to uphold the city election laws when she
doesn’t follow them herself?”
Violations of municipal code are misdemeanors punishable by up to
six months in jail and a $500 fine, or both, Howard said.
“Any sentence to be imposed is up to a judge,” Howard said.
As a city clerk candidate, Mardikian should have known that using
the city seal was illegal, candidate Narineh Barzegar said.
“She should have looked more into it before sending out the
flier,” she said.
Citywide elections are April 5.