{"id":156,"date":"2009-10-22T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2009-10-22T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terragrafix.com\/blog\/?p=156"},"modified":"2009-10-22T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2009-10-22T20:00:00","slug":"mass-real-estate-trust-donated-to-emeryville-chamber-pac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesecretnewsonline.com\/?p=156","title":{"rendered":"Mass. Real Estate Trust Donated to Emeryville Chamber PAC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Firm Donated More Than $12,000 in 2005<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

BY Brian Donahue<\/span><\/p>\n

A Massachusetts Real Estate Investment Trust has funneled thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Political Action Committee (EMPAC), which then forwards the money to developer-backed candidates for public office in Emeryville, <\/span><\/span>The Secret News <\/span>has learned.<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

A public records request revealed that Newton, Mass.-based REIT Management & Research LLC gave at least $12,500 to EMPAC in 2005. The funds were then distributed to candidates backed by the Chamber of Commerce. Contribution records from the current quarter are not yet available for public viewing.
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EMPAC treasurer and Emeryville resident Liz Altieri deposited the check for $12,500 into an EMPAC account from the Massachusetts LLC, but made no inquiry as to the nature of the corporation\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interest in Emeryville politics.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t recall.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Altieri said, adding, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know who they are.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span> <\/span>She said she is unclear why a Massachusetts REIT would want to influence Emeryville elections.<\/span>
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Cou<\/span>ncil Member John Fricke, when asked about the donation, said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The donor probably has real estate dealings in Emeryville.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span> He criticized the <\/span>clandestine nature of EMPAC funding in general, adding, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it’s obvious EMPAC is being used to make it look like contributions to their favored candidates are locally generated. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s out-of-town, and even out-of-state developers seeking to hide their contributions\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/span> <\/p>\n

In the past, developers simply gave money directly to certain candidates. However the Emeryville Chamber Political Action Committee was formed to coordinate campaign activities and fundraising, and build an organization with influence over Emeryville\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s elections. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

Many developers still donate directly to candidates, but in recent years EMPAC\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s role has grown greatly. EMPAC has also been involved in citywide referendums, including funding efforts to defeat Measure C, the 2005 ordinance that granted a “living wage” to Emeryville hotel workers.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

In the last election two years ago, EMPAC provided a significant amount of funds to help re-elect council members Ken Bukowski, Ruth Atkin, and Nora Davis. The group also funded efforts to demonize challenger Shilen Patel with last-minute, negative campaign literature.<\/span><\/p>\n