Frazier’s “Jeff Belle” bill to increase penalties for ballot statement lies advances to Gov’s desk

Jeff Belle, source Contra Costa County Board of Education

SACRAMENTO – The full Legislature has approved a bill by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay) which would assess a financial penalty on candidates who lie on ballot statements when seeking political office. AB 894 now goes to the governor for his signature.

AB 894 would impose a fine of up to $5,000 if a candidate includes knowingly false information on statements they submit for inclusion on election ballots. The fine can be multiplied if an offender is convicted on associated criminal charges.

“Candidates who shamelessly lie to voters are committing fraud and they should pay the penalty,” Frazier said. “For many voters, the only information they may have about a candidate is what the candidate submits for a ballot statement. This is especially true in down-ballot races, such as the Board of Education, which usually don’t get a lot of media coverage.”

Frazier authored AB 894 after a Jeff Belle, a candidate elected to represent East County on the Contra Costa County Board of Education in 2014, was found to have blatantly lied about his qualifications, background and criminal record in the candidate statement he submitted for inclusion on the ballot. Instead of a punishment, the candidate received just an entry into a diversion program for offenders. The current fine for intentionally misleading voters on ballot statements is $1,000.


5 Comments to “Frazier’s “Jeff Belle” bill to increase penalties for ballot statement lies advances to Gov’s desk”

  1. Rjb says:

    This guy is such a loser.

  2. Julio says:

    Has Mr. Belle paid his fine yet?

  3. Making_Him_Famous says:

    This is the only place you will find Jeff Belle’s name connected to this bill. You can even see the poor edit job to add his name into the original copy. Keep making him famous.

    • Allen Payton says:

      Making_Him_Famous,
      Thank you for reading the Herald and for your comment.

      The reason his name is included in the label of the bill is because Assemblyman Frazier told me Belle’s case was the inspiration for the legislation.

      Belle was also referred to in a press release from Frazier’s office about the legislation, which can be viewed, here: http://antiochherald.com/2017/05/1603ah1/

      However, I wouldn’t say it is making Belle famous, but rather infamous.

      Allen Payton, Publisher

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