Jose Castaeda could still be in hot water after filing mandatory campaign documents

The city of Salinas has asked the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office to look into whether councilmember Jose Castaeda violated the political reform act.

News Channel 5 has learned that Thursday Castaneda filed mandatory political campaign documents he was given several chances to provide. Both the city and the Fair Political Practices Commission confirmed they have received those forms.

However, that doesn’t mean the DA is done with its investigation.

Two important documents candidates need to file when they run for any office in California are Statement of Economic Interests and a campaign disclosure form.

“It’s to ensure a level of trust and accountability for public officials,” said Dr. David Anderson, News Channel 5’s political analyst.

According to his attorney, Castaeda missed multiple deadlines to turn these forms in from the time he ran for city council last year. This prompted the city and the FPPC to step in to remind him.

“It’s gone farther than is typical. Most of these issues are resolved long before this,” Anderson said.

Anderson added, usually, the problems arise with the information the candidates submit, like illegal spending or taking favors, but with Castaeda, it’s just a matter of meeting a deadline.

“An issue like this, without knowing all the particulars of all the debate that’s gone on, is something of a power struggle,” Anderson said.

After the city issued multiple reminders to Castaeda, its attorney asked the DA’s office July 31 to look at possible misdemeanor charges.

At the same time, the FPPC extended the councilmember’s deadline to Thursday, because he retained a new lawyer.

Assitant DA Jeannine Pacioni was asked if she would stop her investigation now that Castaeda has filed the paperwork.

“It doesn’t necessarily impact our investigation. We’ll review all of the information that we can obtain, and we’ll make a determination,” Pacioni said.

The FPPC said Castaeda still may face some fines down the road after it completes its review of the documents.

In the separate investigation with the DA, if he’s found guilty of a misdemeanor, he could face up to a year in jail and possibly $10,000 in fines.

In the city’s letter to the DA, it also mentioned that Castaeda has missed mandatory ethics training classes.