News

Scott Baugh's Big, No-Bid County Lobbying Deal

[Moxley Confidential] More than $1,000 per day? What?

A A A Comments (11) By R. SCOTT MOXLEY Thursday, Oct 7 2010

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BEST BUY FACES CONSUMER COMPLAINT
In February 2007, Richard M. Kershenbaum bought a Connect 3D memory card from California-based Best Buy for $30 with an advertised $30 mail-in rebate. Kershenbaum mailed the necessary rebate form and was approved to get his money back. But Connect 3D ultimately refused to pay. Five months later, Best Buy offered to give the ripped-off customer a $10 gift card.

Jack Gould/OC Weekly file photo

Politics enriches Baugh

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An unhappy Kershenbaum sued Best Buy for misleading advertising and, believing he was not alone in his plight, requested class-action status against the company. He didn’t accept the company’s claim it had no duty to make good on Connect 3D’s offer. Superior Court Judge Gail Andrea Andler blocked Kershenbaum on both issues. Andler said Kershenbaum’s claims were too “vague.”

But late last month, a California Court of Appeal based in Santa Ana reversed Andler’s decisions. Without taking sides in the dispute, Justices Richard Fybel, Kathleen O’Leary and Raymond Ikola opined that class-action status was appropriate and that Kershenbaum’s misleading-advertising allegation was adequately specific for his lawsuit to continue.

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UNABASHED LIBERAL DEFIES OC STEREOTYPE
In Orange County’s vast sea of Republicanism, Melissa Fox stands nearly alone as a defiant Democrat. Espousing decidedly lefty political stances, Fox easily won her political party’s nomination in the fight for the 70th State Assembly District seat currently occupied by outgoing Republican Chuck DeVore. The district is overwhelmingly conservative and last elected a Democrat in, well, best I can tell, never.

But in her race against traditionally conservative Republican Don Wagner, Fox isn’t trying to soften her stances or pretend she’s a conservative Democrat. In fact, she’s eagerly pushing a policy many Republicans label as class warfare. She’s calling for higher taxes on California’s corporations and wealthy citizens as the only way to correct an “unfair” tax burden on the middle class.

Can that message resonate in suburban OC neighborhoods such as Newport Beach, Tustin, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and Aliso Viejo? Fox’s admirers insist it can, but I’m not so sure. Especially given the present anti-tax, anti-government political climate, this South County small-business attorney may have taken herself out of contention.

rscottmoxley@ocweekly.com

This column appeared in print as "Buy, Buy Baugh? OC Republican Party boss Scott Baugh gets a big lobbying deal with the county."

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Ltpar 10/11/2010 2:14:00 AM

Union Hack, I don't make threats, only promises. If you know my name, you must also know my address. Why don't you come on around for your 921 stuff and we will see who has the "man tits." Pussies like you are dime a dozen on the street, so keep pumping out the rhetoric trying to convince people you are a big man. Man to pussy, we know the truth don't we. Hope I'm not being too subtle for you.
Union Hack 10/09/2010 5:08:00 PM

So is that a threat on me, Pat Rodger? Looks like a former police officer has made a threat--what a surprise. I guess he will hit me with his gigantic man-tits.
Ltpar 10/09/2010 1:13:00 PM

Darkknight (Union Hack) here you are crawling out from under your rock again, on a different web site this time. In our previous discussion on OC Voice, I admitted to being one of those Cop union hacks for 17 years and also drawing that cushy pensions you fantasize about. You really should get a new line. You write like an attorney, and we all know what that means. The only time you are not lying is when your lips aren't moving. Since birds of a feather flock together, I suppose you are one of Lalloway's RINO buddies. Congratulations you deserve each other. You should really get out from under your rock more, because no one has been more critical of Larry Agran and his gang, than myself. If your buddy Lalloway would stick to running his campaign against Agran instead of personally attacking the most conservative Republican in the race, I wouldn't have to waste my time writing about his sorry attitude and character. I can hardly wait until Agran starts in on Lalloway and he will with slick slate mailers. I understand the first one is in the mail but haven't seen it yet. Like all of Larry Agran's past victime, Jeff Lalloway will wake up in the gutter asking if anyone saw the train that ran over him. Sometimes the Law of Karma is swift and sure and you always reap what you sow. Well, guess that about sums it up for now. By the way, if I catch you peeping in my window to check out my underware, you will get your kneecaps broken. That subtle enough for you to understand?
Mayor Quimby 10/09/2010 5:55:00 AM

The 70th Assembly district last elected a Democrat in 2008, when a guy named Barack Obama carried the 70th Assembly District by almost 9,000 votes. Don Wanker, the Invisible Man, is not campaigning, no statement in the voter guide, no mail, no appearances, while Melissa Fox is in the mail, campaigning aggressively, and isn't a loon wingnut like Wagner. Maybe you should do some research. You're almost as lazy as Martin Wisckol.
Arthur in OC 10/09/2010 5:52:00 AM

Scott, Melissa Fox is as "anti-tax" you can get -- she's the only candidate specifically committed to reducing the taxes paid by the majority of voters in her district. Saying, as Melissa Fox does, that California's tax system unfairly burdens small businesses and the middle class, that giant corporations need to fair their fair share, and that we need to stop reckless borrowing isn't "class warfare," it's about stopping the tax bleeding that most of us middle class Californians are experiencing. Here is Melissa Fox's full statement on taxes (taken from her website): "As a middle class homeowner, businesswoman, and small business attorney, Melissa knows the unfair financial burden that California’s unfair tax system imposes on middle class families and small businesses. While our professional politicians in Sacramento have promised to say “No” to taxes, they have said “Yes” again and again to raising the sales tax, the car tax, and the gasoline tax. They have also raised tolls on our roads, and raised fees and tuition for our state colleges and universities. These tolls and fees are taxes by another name – and unfairly hit middle class taxpayers and small businesses. Melissa will fight hard to cut taxes for those who need it most: California's small businesses and middle class. As a member of the Assembly, Melissa will fight for tax fairness. Melissa will fight against any tax, toll or fee that unfairly and disproportionately hits our already overburdened small businesses and middle class. She'll make sure that we keep more of what we earn and save – and make sure that our economy is stimulated by real tax relief for hardworking, overburdened families and the small businesses that are the real creators of jobs and prosperity in our community. Melissa will also attack the root cause of both our budget woes and our excessive income and sales taxes – the reckless borrowing we've done to pay for unfair tax cuts to special interests and giant corporations.. She knows that to restore sanity to our budget – and to protect our schools and provide essential services such as police and fire protection – we need to stop the reckless borrowing, and make sure that the banks, oil companies, and giant corporations pay their fair share." http://votemelissafox.com/taxes.php
Union Hack 10/09/2010 3:44:00 AM

LtPar, or Pat Rodgers, was a union hack who didn't even receive the endorsement of the very union he represented. No one voted for him when he ran in 2008 for city council. Now he sits in his underwear, writing blog comments, and collecting his huge taxpayer pension. Lynn Schott and her alter ego Frances Akhavi are nuts. All they want to do is scream and yell at everyone who they think is a bad republican. They have such ego that they think they are the only true republicans on earth. They complain about the republicans but they have NEVER said a bad word about Larry Agran. Who are these crazies? These crazy tea party screamers are not what Irvine needs. Set them loose in San Fran maybe.
Ltpar 10/08/2010 9:11:00 PM

Scott, good article and merely another spoke in the wheel of what is wrong with the Republican Party in Orange County. Their "good ol boy" club and the "don't do as I do, do as I say," philosophy is sickening. To add insult to injury, the Republicans have now resorted to attacking other Republicans, who are not members of the exclusive club. In Irvine, the most conservative candidate in the race, Lynn Schott is under attack, not from Larry Agran as one might expect, but from Jeff Lalloway the fair haired boy of the Republicans. Aided in his efforts by the gutless wonder, Adam Probolsky, they are using biased and slanted question polls to make Schott look bad. In addition, Lalloway's door to door walkers are telling lies to residents in an attempt to take votes from Schott. Since there are two City Council seats available, Schott is clearly not a threat to Lalloway. Why then would Schott be painted as a villain and who benefits from this unethical effort by Lalloway and Probolsky? Yes, it is non other than Larry Agran himself. This sorry course of action by the so called Republicans almost makes a rational person wonder if Lalloway has cut a deal with the King of deal makers (Agran). How about that Jeff, are you selling your soul to the devil for a City Council seat? Come on Irvine Republican voters, we want to get rid of the Agranistas and clean up Irvine politics. The question is, do we want to replace terrible politicans with a back stabbing RINO? My vote will go to Chris Gonzales for Mayor, Lynn Schott and one of the other Republican candidate for Council, excluding Jeff Lalloway. In Irvine, it is "Just another day in paradise."
brian 10/08/2010 5:38:00 PM

Meanwhile The Republicans Nationally make Slime Baugh look like small fry Don’t think the US Chamber of Commerce is laundering Chinese money to buy a Republican congress? Its called treason Then gee isnt the timing on this funny? From Jesses Cafe: “What could a TBTF bank possibly do to deserve a reprimand from their friends at the Fed? Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) related it appears, protecting flows of secrets and cash. I hope it is not related to HSBC’s position as the primary custodian for GLD and their starting of the gold rush back in 2009. “WHEREAS, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (the “Reserve Bank”) reviewed and assessed the effectiveness of HNAH’s corporate governance and compliance risk management practices, policies, and internal controls, and identified deficiencies…” Press Release Federal Reserve Release Date: October 7, 2010 The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the issuance of a consent Cease and Desist Order between HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. (HNAH), New York, New York, a registered bank holding company, and the Federal Reserve Board. The order requires HNAH to take corrective action to improve its firmwide compliance risk-management program, including its anti-money laundering compliance risk management. Concurrent with the Federal Reserve Board’s enforcement action, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced Thursday the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order against HSBC Bank USA, N.A., McLean, Virginia, for violating the Bank Secrecy Act and its underlying regulations. A copy of the Board’s order is attached. HSBC Thats Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation Buying the Republicans who will sell them your country
DCWdivorce 10/08/2010 10:14:00 AM

IrvineVoter.com provides many reasons not to vote for anyone who associates with Larry Agran. Democrats are ashamed of him.
Fido 10/08/2010 6:28:00 AM

OMG!!! A half of a MILLION DOLLARS of taxpayer money to do what? The City of Bell comes to mind when it comes to outrageous payouts. But the hairy faced, straight faced alleged champion of tax payers rights John Moorlach could care less so long as public safety people who actually work for a living get screwed. I guess Moorlach believes the only people who are derserved of waves of big public money are his friends and the the most dangerous or daring thing they will ever do is change their underware.
Outraged 10/08/2010 3:27:00 AM

They're all freaking hypocrites! They accuse public employee unions of bankrupting the county, then pilfer the paychecks of rank-and-file workers who are barely scraping by to give their buddies millions of dollars and their executives $765 per month car allowances and bonuses. Great story. Keep up the good work!

Scott Baugh's Big, No-Bid County Lobbying Deal

[Moxley Confidential] More than $1,000 per day? What?

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Ltpar 10/11/2010 2:14:00 AM

Union Hack 10/09/2010 5:08:00 PM

Ltpar 10/09/2010 1:13:00 PM

Mayor Quimby 10/09/2010 5:55:00 AM

Arthur in OC 10/09/2010 5:52:00 AM

Union Hack 10/09/2010 3:44:00 AM

Ltpar 10/08/2010 9:11:00 PM

brian 10/08/2010 5:38:00 PM

DCWdivorce 10/08/2010 10:14:00 AM

Fido 10/08/2010 6:28:00 AM

Outraged 10/08/2010 3:27:00 AM

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