Well, here we go.
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2025 8:56:28 AM
To: Ashlee N. Titus <XXX>
Cc: Scott Winn <swinn@cagop.org>
Subject: Legal Risks of Earmarking and Best Practices for County Committees
Dear County Chairmen:
As legal counsel to the California Republican Party, I want to emphasize the legal risks associated with earmarked contributions—that is, funds solicited by county committees for specific candidates.
Why This Matters
California and federal laws provide political parties with broad fundraising rights, but they face greater scrutiny from agencies like the FPPC and FEC. They investigate activities that appear to involve “earmarking” or “money laundering.”
Risks and Penalties
Violations can lead to lengthy investigations, fines, and damage to reputations. A 2010 FPPC case resulted in imposition of a $40,000 fine for money laundering, highlighting the importance of avoiding earmarking.
Best Practices
- Do not solicit or allow earmarked contributions. Clearly state that the committee controls fund usage. Funds given to candidates outside of your county could result in an investigation.
- Return funds if donors imply support for a specific candidate.
- Follow formal approval procedures for all contributions made by the party.
- Document everything, as records will be reviewed during investigations.
Your Fiduciary Responsibility
As party officers, prioritize the committee’s long term health and compliance over individual campaigns. If uncertain about any contribution, seek legal advice.
Attached is a memorandum that discusses this issue in greater detail.
Thank you for your dedication to lawful operations and the integrity of our Party.
I went ahead and hyperlinked the document under an applicable sentence.
As someone who wants more Republicans elected, I am not happy about what seems to be an all-out brawl on the inside of the CAGOP. I am also not happy that I was right about the potential consequences of said brawl.
Today, I was also sent a recent UC Irvine Poll (that I believe is accurate) that shows that the CAGOP is completely missing it on issues. One example would be that Republicans talk about law enforcement funding, but that issue is #6 on the list for Democrats. It’s hard to win an election when you are talking about the wrong issues to the other party whose support you need to win. Unfortunately, we gotta talk about democrat issues and solving them with Republican solutions. (aka private Healthcare options and competition to drive prices down – because “regulatory reform” is a dull, stupid canard that resonates like a lead balloon. Healthcare is issue #2 for dems)
It strikes me that there is a similar dynamic of communicative disconnect on the inside of the CAGOP and I am going to investigate until I can determine what the players are doing and why. There have been people sending emails gleefully celebrating the drama because they see this as an opportunity to be relevant. I know several claims in the emails to be outright lies or deliberately strained facts (where some are presented and others omitted), thusly that source is not credible. I believe in the interest of the CAGOP that it is time to seek the truth because that is the only way this is going to be resolved.
The CAGOP could win a lot of elections in 2026 and just as easily, people like Jeff Gonzalez or Greg Wallis both of whom are in solid dem districts could lose. This has to get solved, and in the meantime I will continue sounding the alarms in attempts to limit the damage.
I hope county chairs take this advice provided by the lawyer to heart and follow the law, as Ashlee Titus has laid it out square. I can’t assume that the players involved in this all know the law.
Your intrepid blogger is on the case.
Blogger’s Note: in the context of this post “CAGOP” means the party, the legislators, electeds, all inclusive.
The 2010 FPPC involved State Senator Tony Strickland and Stanislaus County Republican Party.
Never accept any “earmarked” funds. Donors should understand state and county parties are free to use funds whenever applicable under FPPC and FEC rules and laws.
Note CAGOP mean CRP. It is not legislative GOP caucus or any of the recognized but not affiliated subgroups like CCR CRA Log Cabin, Tea Party GOP caucus or others. Don’t try to group them under the same banner. County Committee, the County Chairmans Assocation, the CRP Executive Board and the convention delegates are the CAGOP/CRP.
Also note things are not rosey. From what I understand the last meeting for the County Chairs did not go well with Ms Rankin. Although she and others try to paint a rosey wonderful picture of the CRP….the crap it the fan at the end of the meeting and some of the county chairs when off on her on delegate stealing and corruption (but I was not there and got it 3rd person)
Oh boy….. now, if he could show as MUCH zeal in finding out about the books, we’d all be happy. Is it true: 9 years, 2 mill and NO audits since then??
The attack dogs have been let loose….. bianco has fired some shots. Interesting.
Well, I will have to admit, he has me in experience.
I’ve looked back to see if I can compare…. And I’m at a loss.
Never, in all my years, have I ever knelt to a mob.
God bless ya folks.
Charlie – any of the county chairs in that meeting could call or email me. I’d be happy to talk to them, even if they want to stay off the record. Thanks.
https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-pcZfdSwdUpn6f6elJnzgR7vzbJieJ1q7IklFZKWzLF9GQXu6P8KhpqEoNN1l5aax4QS589m2ULn4HOf3kMCF_g/messages/@.id==AFHLxtqGJxa1fjWMoU0ja4XzM9E/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appid=YMailNorrinLaunch
Should be interesting, given that MOST Republican candidates wished to avoid this topic.
Humorous.
Aaron I am not free to give names…but did make some more phone calls. From what I was told one of the County Chairs went after both Dennis and Rankin for skullduggery in the last reorganization convention near the end of the meeting. However, to end discussion Dennis cut it off and had ‘Pony Tail’ mute the microphones to end the discussion. It is what is it…why am I not surprised????
https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjN-pcZfdSwdUpn6f6elJnzgR7vzbJieJ1q7IklFZKWzLF9GQXu6P8KhpqEoNN1l5aax4QS589m2ULn4HOf3kMCF_g/messages/@.id==ALDlqoWIFgD5CKm3eB1mKuCbpSY/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appid=YMailNorrinLaunch
Should be an interesting night…..for those bothering to attend, lol.
https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5622AQE7PUcIEwkmYw/feedshare-shrink_2048_1536/B56ZhsVbyyG0Ao-/0/1754164215374?e=1756944000&v=beta&t=DEMpHTjE14IZivZZoCRxoRI72952F7gfaGb8qpOTJsQ
Happening today at the Sacramento State Capital!!
Hope to see you there!!
Unless you’re a consultant….or pundit…..or anyone else who THINKS this is a waste of time….you folks are directly contributing to the demise of California…..
300 MILLION for a recall vs 1/2 TRILLION in wasted income for the State.
WHEN, is it worth it?
It’s THEIR tax dollars……WHY are YOU worried about how THEY spend it?
Does “anyone” here, know a Ms. Jo Reitkopp???
She is setting up a GOP candidate forum at the GOP convention in September, and I was invited to be on the panel.
????
Charlie? You’re usually in the know…….
Rumor states Mr.
Langford is telling folks he is a family aquantence with Mr. GINO Gavin Newsom.
He also put out a post on how he’ll handle homelessness, while using Auschwitz’s as a back drop.
Despicable…….for ANY Republican to do that for campaign publicity.
Any whooo, y’all’s have a great day!
Ps…….while folks on here love, LOVE, to discuss WHAT IFs-isms……..
Go back and look at the numbers from the 2022 primary race.
18% electorate participation is a problem.
Also, any truth to the rumor James Woods is seeking to step into the race?
Yea, the Holocaust movie actor, THAT James Woods.
Just checking….one learns soooo much from folks….(grins)
Harris dropped, so ONE candidate can feel better about his chances…..gop top runner, lol.
So much for THAT persons confidence.
GINO Gavin won’t allow the other one to get on his podcast….boo-hooo.
I’m sure THAT gop favorite will get passed it, at some point.
Speaking of ICE…………where DOES the Sheriff of Riverside stand on the issue?
Mr. Thurmond already smoked him in a quasi interview……..please tell me, we can do better than that.
(Still plugging away on my journey into the unknown,…)
460’s…….soooo many forms………smh
HOLY SMOKES BAT MAN!!! CHECK OUT THE NEWS!!!!
—> https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/eleni-kounalakis-drops-out-of-california-governor-race/ar-AA1KaGKU?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=68963c808e3a43759cd743c8c0e8b1a1&ei=9
“Notice one of the three counties is Riverside. The pro-illegal alien Sheriff is Chad Bianco. He has made it clear, “mu deputies will not cooperate with ICE.” Newsom or Schiff could not have said it better. Bianco wants to be governor. On this issue he will follow in the footsteps of Gavin Newsom, not Texas Governor Greg Abbott.”
Ah well………we’ll see…………….yes we shall! lol
(pulling out my tape player, …..Molly Hatchet??……….(I saw them in concert in Germany)….let me see…here it is………
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmhkOiWGSfM&list=RDWmhkOiWGSfM&start_radio=1
8 )
Leo, I dont think it matters, Steve Hilton is leading in the polls now. Looks like he will be able to raise the money too. Katie Porter is leading for the Dems….she is a lefty nut bag.
CHARLIE!!!! I thought you’d passed into the realm where us “old soldiers go” when they just, faaaaaaaaade away!!
anyways……..enough of the promotional stuff.
By now you’ve heard: Eleni tanked to be Treasurer. What happened?
Remember when she RACED on the tarmac to greet Kamala who was visiting California?
Yea…..she JUST acted like Kamalah during the Presidential voting from IOWA…she quit.
Harris, quit….AGAIN.
So far, I’ve beaten 2 heavy weights.
Hilton seems to show only 12%……compared to 5%, yea he’s winning.
Raising what? Funding for who? You? Me? Himself? lolol
If rumors are true, what does a man worth 70 Million dollars need to raise to BUY a Governor seat?
Porter? I agree…………ELENI was to be the favored DEMO selection to be “anointed” to the Chair…..again, what happened?
Dems? They have issues, and WE can beat an army in dissarray.
Repubs? smh……….rumor has it, James Woods is thinking about it.
As well as some other hold-out Republican people who MAY decide at some point, California is worth the effort to jump in, who may eventually jump in.
(IMHO, pathetic)
Will you be at the GOP Convention happening in September? I’ll be there this time, in what you said was, Professional attire. Tie and all.
I’ll also be at the GOV CANDIDATE SHOW DOWN on 8 NOV 2025, with ALL those standing, Mr. Hilton included.
If you like soft ball questions thrown to so called, top picks the party dictated you to select? You’ll like him.
At some point, the gloves WILL come off……..better now than later.
Unless that’s the point, to prevent the bloodbath of where people REALLY stand on certain issues.
Have a great weekend, stay safe, hope to see you again soon, and drink lots of water.
PS………..Socialism….what we fought against during the 1950’s, YOU should know that.
Have we accepted it now? Will we accept it in 2026?
It’s a rhetorical question……..so………(shruggs)….there is that.
Leo, you are grasping at straws. Hilton is leading Banco…Sorry but the rest of you guys in the GOP are ‘also rans’ as of now. (unless you find $30 million). The Dems are pulling the rug out from Porter, she can’t win, they know it and they will do anything to win.
It is what it is…….. If you going to blovate…get off this blog and go raise the money.
Hey Charlie! Why don’t you stop bullchitting and pitch in?
Since I view you as THE bloviating expert on here.
You keep harping about 30 this or 40 that. Sorry dude, you STILL to this day, can’t explain Carli Fiornia, or have you gone into memory loss phase now?
I’ll remind you: she lost with 140 Million of her own money.
Dahle, your guy from the last run, lost well below your 30 Million bullchit number….but, as you claim, HE had the name, so again sir, explain his loss.
I’ve noticed you’re about 2 steps from doing nothing for anyone, except bitching about the process, or rehashing your history with Aaron over “I know someone but I can’t say their name, but they hated….blah blah blah”, rhetoric.
Smh.
You must like Stevo. You don’t seem enamored over Bianco.
You have zero faith in jack diddly on anything else in our State. You sir, are EXACTLY one of the problems we have in this State: Older generation of has-been who relish the past, no matter how often they lose with it. You won’t keep up, because quite simply, you can’t. You won’t help chit, but you’ll whine about why we lose, often.
Lead, follow or get out of the way. It seems, you’re too addled to do any of the above.
What happened to you, sir? I don’t recall any Marines that I am aware of, being so content with mediocrity, losing or have no guts to do anything but bask in their own bs excuse of why no one can accomplish chit because of,……insert excuse.
You’re giving up. You believe in defeat. I may be a former Army NCO, and way older than my prime, but it appears I’m showing more guts, determination and gusto than you could ever fathom.Dam shame, coming from a former Marine Officer.
Given how you type here, make excuses here, and basically accept losing on here, you strike me as someone who would have told John Paul Jones to “ lower the colors, cause they’re better armed, equipped and we can’t win this fight.”
Seems you would have yielded to the Brits at Lexington, or concord, or Gettysburg, or Iwo Jima, etc.
I’ll pray for you sir…….that you relocate that piss n vinegar Marines are known for.
Cause from what I’ve seen so far? Smh…….sorry as chit to me.
God bless you sir, but I figured you to be better than that.
Leo you have a very thin skin…..
“Older generation of has-been who relish the past, no matter how often they lose with it. You won’t keep up, because quite simply, you can’t. ”
Leo bringing the fire!
Hard to hear for some, but Leo is speaking the truth. Nobody wants to grow old and set in their ways and be pushed into irrelevancy, but Boomers need to step aside or wake up.
Unfortunately Leo, your generation is the poster child for whining and complaining about what is wrong with America. Think mirror.
You will have your toughest battle with your own generation Leo. The question is, how will you as governor confront those masses of complainers that ultimately you need to support you?
I’m still in camp Leo until anyone else brings a sane argument to why I should not support him.
Charlie? They call what YOU just did, retreat. Not one answer from you. SMH
I guess Trump is thin skinned too?
My generation? I’m the guy that straddles the fence between older and youthful. I’m not afraid of tech as most of my age are. I’m too wary of what it CAN do, when used wrong.
How do you reach those who can’t or won’t help? Who only Bisch n whine about what’s wrong but do nothing to make change? You give them the info THEY need to decide their lives for this moment. Losing or winning. Poverty or prosperity. Which is it? I can’t vote for them, they have to decide themselves.
As to fighting? Been doin that since childhood. Look up John Paul Jones and Payton.
That’ll give you insight. I’ve had my chances to turn defeat into victories endless times, and have prevailed.
If you want to know more? Check out my page….Leo Naranjo 4 Gov.com.
Check out the links to the speeches… YOU decide, not the party.
I led another Republican candidate to sign a recall petition when others failed to show.
God is on my aside. God is my strength and inspiration.
Naysayers are just manmade obstacles one must overcome. Trial by fire.
Thank you for the support.
Leo, I did not retreat. It is just that some battles are not worth fighting. Even if you win, you win nothing.
Oh my….and so it starts…WILL HE or WONT HE, run for Governor?
I’m talking about the NEWEST shadow who’s just starting to be “more realistic”…..James Woods.
Hmmmmmmmm, interesting.
Rumors for now, but already, the question is coming out…..if the QUESTION is out, it’s a matter of time….lolol
Now what? The old darling for the party is already rugged….the NEW darling? He’d be toast more so than he already is…
Dumped for Woods, too funny.
Obviously, he’s had some real life political experience, right?
Or does that only get applied to NONrich people?
Oh yea, it’s getting interesting, lol
oh my……AARON!!!!
Your GURL is doing something!!!………………..
https://x.com/KateSanchezCA/status/1956090139010285814
Oh my..isn’t this the one you…………..wait……..oh, never mind.
Where’s the blog entry about Newsom’s attempt to right redistricting wrongs? It should be like shooting fish in a barrel and the readers would love it. So much to unpack about his nonsense. How bout it blogger?