A surge of concern erupted in California following the circulation of a video exposing potentially fraudulent petition gathering practices in San Francisco. The footage, posted online, appeared to show individuals being paid to sign ballot initiatives using names and addresses not their own, raising serious questions about the integrity of the process.
The initiatives in question are linked to a powerful advocacy group called Building a Better California, funded with a substantial $35 million investment from tech billionaires Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt, among others. While the group publicly maintains neutrality on specific issues, speculation centers around its efforts to oppose a proposed wealth tax targeting California’s wealthiest residents.
The video prompted a swift response from Abby Lunardi, a spokesperson for Building a Better California. She stated the organization does not condone such activity and has taken steps to reject petitions collected by the individuals shown in the footage, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for fraudulent practices.
Lunardi’s background reveals a connection to other influential organizations. Prior to her role with Building a Better California, she served as chief communications and brand officer for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, an entity known for its significant financial involvement in the 2020 election, exceeding $400 million.
KCRA 3 News confirmed the signature-gatherers were working on behalf of campaigns backed by billionaires opposing the wealth tax, as well as a separate initiative focused on retirement and personal savings protection. All three campaigns acknowledged their petitions were being circulated by these individuals.
The standard cost for signature gathering firms typically ranges from $15 to $17 per valid signature. However, the source of the additional funds used to pay individuals $5 simply to sign – and to sign under false pretenses – remains a mystery, fueling further scrutiny.
California’s Secretary of State has now launched a formal investigation into the alleged petition fraud. The individual who initially posted the video reported this isn’t an isolated incident, suggesting a potentially widespread issue within the signature-gathering landscape of the region.
Beyond the wealth tax opposition, the campaigns involved include Californians For a More Transparent and Effective Government, and a campaign specifically advocating for the Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act. The investigation aims to determine the extent of the fraud and ensure the validity of the petition process.
