Candidates for elected office are not permitted to coordinate with the well-heeled super PACs that back their campaigns. But a recent state ethics complaint alleges that aspiring governor and current mayor of San Jose Matt Mahan has done exactly that.
Mahan illegally discussed “campaign strategy and messaging” with the leaders of several groups that are spending millions to bankroll his bid for California governor, as well as their wealthy donors, according to the complaint, which was filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission on Thursday. In an email on the same day, the FPPC acknowledged receipt of the complaint.
The complaint accuses Mahan and billionaire PAC donors Michael Moritz and Rick Caruso, among others, of flouting state laws that prohibit “independent expenditure” committees, also known as PACs, from coordinating with candidates…