Among the top gift recipients from last year was Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, who accepted $15,623 in free perks. De Leon’s total was boosted by a $9,759 trip to Peru in December paid for by the Climate Registry, a government-sponsored nonprofit organization that tracks greenhouse gas emissions.

Other state legislative leaders accepted tens of thousands of dollars in gifts. According to the Los Angeles Times’ review of disclosure reports, “Assembly Republican leader Kristin Olsen of Modesto reported $13,577 in gifts, led by $5,723 in travel expenses paid for by the California Foundation on the Environment and Economy for a study trip to Canada, and a $2,914 trip to Hawaii for a conference paid for by the nonprofit Independent Voter Project.”

Last year, state law restricted state officials to $440 in gifts from each source.

Gatto, Beall shun junkets

But not all lawmakers were looking to supplement their government salaries with perks from special interests. For the second straight year, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, led a small group of legislators who shunned extravagant gifts, declined once-in-a-lifetime trips around the world and went above-and-beyond the legal requirements for financial disclosure.

What set Gatto apart from his colleagues? For starters, his form included additional footnotes to explain discrepancies between this year’s and last year’s report. In 2013, Gatto reported several stocks that are missing from this year’s report. However, a helpful footnote explained the stocks had dropped below the reportable threshold in the last year.

State Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, once again shunned gifts from special interest groups and corporations that lobby the Legislature. He reported a few thousand dollars in life insurance stock shares and a handful of gifts from the California Democratic Party. Like Gatto, Beall went out of his way to disclose gifts, such as a $117.83 dinner for which he later reimbursed de Leon. Since the reimbursement check hadn’t cleared, Beall reported the dinner anyway.

Gatto and Beall were joined this year by a few other California politicians that took the state’s disclosure requirements to heart. State Controller Betty Yee filed her report a month early and included a number of gifts valued below the reporting requirement.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission only requires gifts valued at $50 or more to be reported. Nevertheless, Yee included various food and beverage gifts, including $14 for a commemorative Coca-Cola bottle.

Assemblyman Matt Harper, R-Huntington Beach, reported a long list of gifts from Orange County politicos on January 11, the date of his wedding. According to the state’s disclosure guidelines, wedding gifts are not subject to the $440 gift limit, but half of the value is reportable.

Lawmakers: Side jobs and major businesses

California’s Legislature may be full-time, but that hasn’t stopped a few lawmakers from running side businesses.

Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, who reported no gifts on his 2015 financial disclosure report, disclosed stock in Walker R.R. Associates valued between $100,000 and $1 million. He also serves as the general partner of Katch-Go Petroleum, a partnership valued over $1 million with more than $100,000 per year in gross income. Those profits are from several Central Coast service stations.

State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, reported dozens of customers for Hill’s Poll Service Inc., of which he serves as president.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom needed 29 pages to report income, assets and gifts received in 2014. Newsom’s gifts included $350 from the Oakland Raiders, $100 from the Clinton Foundation and $375 from French President François Hollande.

By far the most active stock trader was Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, who listed 75 stock investments on her annual disclosure form. Not all the stock purchases were retained for the entire year.

Another trader, Assembly member Catharine Baker, R-San Ramon, reported her covered calls and short positions in CommScope Holding Company held between June 27 and August 18, when the stock gained nearly 7 percent.

Big fluctuation in gift values

In some cases, there were major disparities in the fair market value reported by state lawmakers for similar gifts. When he still was a state senator, on July 11, Secretary of State Alex Padilla accepted $247.50 in golf from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association and another $247.50 in golf from the Governor’s Cup Foundation.

The same day, Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, reported golf from the same entities valued at $440 each.

Assemblyman Brian Maienschein reported $4,011 in free parking at the San Diego Airport. During the same year, fellow San Diego Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez reported $4,723 in free parking from the same agency. The same perk in Los Angeles for Board of Equalization member Jerome Horton was valued at just $360.

According to the Fair Political Practices Commission, parking is considered a travel payment that is required to be disclosed, although it is not subject to the gift limit. In 2010, half a dozen state lawmakers were fined for failing to disclose gifts, including $100 worth of free parking from the city of Los Angeles.

California lawmakers accepted $844,000 in gifts in 2013 — the majority of which came from special interest groups that routinely lobby the state Legislature.

According to a new report released by the good-government group California Common Cause, gifts to elected state representatives included $580,000 in travel payments, more than $100,000 in meals and receptions and $65,500 for tickets to entertainment and sporting events.

“With ongoing federal investigations into potential ethics violations by several state lawmakers, this report highlights that there are many legal channels through which special interests exert their influence in Sacramento,” Kathay Feng, executive director of CA Common Cause, said in a press release.

More than 2,700 gifts reported in 2013

Each state lawmakers received, on average, $600 worth of gifts every month. To put that number into perspective, it’s three times the freebies the average recipient of food stamps receives in California. According to the California Department of Social Services, “The average amount of CalFresh benefits received per household is about $200 per month.”

In total, state lawmakers reported more than 2,700 individual gifts in 2013, ranging from a $1.50 bottle of Coke to a $15,782 trip to Armenia. While meals were the most common item, the largest payments were for travel to exotic locations and accommodation in luxury hotels. Among the more unique gifts were:

• $439 in tickets to a Drake concert given by the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority to Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland;
• $216 in nail polish given by the Personal Care Products Association to then-Senator Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who is facing charges of corruption;
• $160 worth of golf fees and clubs given by the California Foundation on Education and the Environment to state Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres;
• $130 in spa services given by the California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Institute to state Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Culver City;
• $115 in seafood given by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation to Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles.

Gifts increasing in number and value

CA Common Cause says both the number and value of gifts increased dramatically in the past year. According to their report, state elected officials accepted approximately $216,000 in gifts and travel payments, including $41,000 in hotels and lodging; $30,000 for tickets to entertainment and sporting events; and more than $100,000 for meals and receptions.

“While Californians across the state exchange gifts this month in celebration of the holidays, its worth taking a minute to reflect on the year-round, not-so-secret Santa happening in the state Capitol,” said Sarah Swanbeck, policy and legislative affairs advocate for CA Common Cause. “What we’re seing is a growing trend in both the number of gifts and the total value of those gifts given by powerful special interest groups to state lawmakers.”

To compile its report, the group analyzed publicly available financial disclosure reports, which are filed annually with the Fair Political Practices Commission. That means the figures are likely to be lower than the actual total. State law does not require gifts under $50 in value to be reported on these Statement of Economic Interest forms. Financial disclosure reports for 2014 won’t be available until March 1.

Top Recipients of Gifts in 2013

Legislative leaders topped the list of gift recipients in 2013, with former Speaker of the Assembly John A. Perez, D-Los Angeles, taking home nearly $38,000 in gifts and perks. The Top 10 recipients, according to the report:

1. Assemblyman John A. Perez: $37,823;
2. Sen. Ricardo Lara: $32,492;
3. Sen. Anthony Cannella: $26,644;
4. Assemblyman Steven Bradford: $25,408;
5. Assemblyman Travis Allen: $23,118;
6. Sen. Kevin de Leon: $22,910;
7. Assemblyman Scott Wilk: $21,780;
8. Assemblywoman Connie Conway: $20,675;
9. Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia: $20,600;
10. Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen: $17,603.

All of the state lawmakers listed in the Top 10 of gift recipients utilized the longstanding loophole that allows elected officials to circumvent the state’s $440 gift limit.

Legislators gone wild on junkets

State officials can accept gifts that exceed the state’s gift limit if it is for travel-related expenses in conjunction with a speech or conference. Special interest groups routinely take advantage of this loophole by organizing “conferences” in exotic locales. In 2013, the two biggest donors helped state lawmakers jet off to Scandinavia, Taiwan and Maui, courtesy of this loophole.

The biggest gift-giver to state lawmakers was the California Foundation on the Environment & Economy, which spent $161,893 in travel-related gifts. It was followed by the Independent Voter Project, which spent $38,080 in 2013.

Founded by former Assemblyman Steve Peace, the IVP hosts a notorious annual conference in Maui. Eighteen state lawmakers attended the group’s 2013 conference, held at the luxurious Fairmont Kea Lani, “Hawaii’s only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort.”

The travel gift loophole has been criticized by newspapers and ethics experts.

“Almost all of this largesse came courtesy of people and organizations with business before the Legislature,” the Press-Democrat recently editorialized. “With all the junkets and outings, it’s a wonder they find time for any business.”

Sacramento: Only place there’s still a free lunch

While travel-related gifts accounted for nearly 70 percent of the dollar amount, the most frequent gift given to legislators in 2013 was a free lunch. That’s gifts of meals and drinks; and attendance at receptions, events and hospitality suites.

In the area of free meals, the California Democratic Party donated more than any other group, according to CA Common Cause. The state party spent nearly $10,000 to wine and dine its members.

Top 10 gift-givers

The top 10 gift-givers in 2013 were:

1. California Foundation on the Environment & Economy: $161,893;
2. Independent Voter Project: $38,080;
3. Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia: $25,173;
4. State Legislative Leaders Foundation: $24,027;
5. Pacific Policy Research Foundation: $22,015;
6. Taipai Economic and Cultural Office: $32,533;
7. California Issues Forum: $18,902;
8. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles: $17,989;
9. American Israel Foundation: $12,737;
10. California Democratic Party: $10,556.

A new report by California Common Cause shows that elected officials in California accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts in 2012. The gifts to lawmakers, according to the non-partisan citizens’ lobby organization, came primarily from special interest groups that routinely lobby state officials.

“Christmas came early for many of the Capitol’s most powerful,” said Phillip Ung, author of the report and outgoing policy advocate for California Common Cause. “When gifts are exchanged, a feeling of gratitude is natural, but voters should be concerned how policymakers show their gratitude towards powerful interest groups.”

In 2012, state elected officials accepted approximately $216,000 in gifts and travel payments, including $41,000 in hotels and lodging; $30,000 for tickets to entertainment and sporting events; and more than $100,000 for meals and receptions, according to the report.

Top Gift Recipients in 2012

California Democrats may claim a supermajority in both houses of the state legislature, but an Orange County Republican lawmaker topped the list of gift recipients in 2012. State Senator Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Niguel, accepted $15,810.80 worth of gifts in 2012, almost double the amount of the next highest legislator. Rounding out the top five were:

* Speaker of the Assembly John Perez, D-Los Angeles;

* Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello;

* Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Pacoima;

* Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas.

To compile its report on overall gifts, Common Cause used publicly available financial disclosure reports that are filed annually with the state. That means the figures are likely to be lower than the actual total. State law does not require gifts under $50 in value to be reported on these Statement of Economic Interest forms.

“At a time when federal investigators are looking for potential illegal actions by California legislators, this report shows that many legal activities raise suspicions about the influence of special interest in the State Capitol,” said Kathay Feng, executive director for California Common Cause.

Gifts to state lawmakers ranged from lavish meals to expensive tickets to entertainment venues, all paid for by powerful special interest groups. Under state law, most gifts are subject to a $420 limit.

Some of the gifts to state lawmakers included a $69.78 breakfast for Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, paid for by the California Independent Petroleum Association; $420 worth of Disneyland tickets for Assemblyman Don Wagner, R-Irvine; and a $420 round of golf for Calderon.

“The prolific providers of entertainment and sports tickets were special interest groups with business before the Legislature,” the report stated.

Long-Standing Travel Loophole

Despite the state’s $420 gift limit, Jones-Sawyer, Wagner and Calderon were among those who also accepted thousands of dollars worth of accommodation, meals and airfare as participants at a special interest-funded junket to Maui. The Common Cause report criticized the longstanding travel loophole that allows public officials to be reimbursed for travel expenses if connected to a non-profit conference.

In 2012, 17 California legislators attended such trips to Maui that were funded by special interest groups. According to the Sacramento Bee, the list of legislators that traveled to Maui included:

*Assembly GOP leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare;

* Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo;

* Sen. Tom Berryhill, R-Oakdale;

* Assemblyman Isadore Hall, D-Compton;

* Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino;

* Sen. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale;

* Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach;

* Assemblyman Manny Perez, D-Coachella;

* Sen. Rod Wright, D-Inglewood;

* Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord;

* Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont;

* Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles;

* Sen. Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa;

* Sen. Marty Block, D-San Diego.

Campaign Committees Used as Slush Funds

Special interest-funded junkets weren’t the only gift loophole highlighted by Common Cause. The report also identified lawmakers’ use of campaign committees as slush funds.

Assemblyman Adam Gray of Merced and State Sen. Ricardo Lara of Long Beach, both Democrats, used campaign funds to buy gifts for Perez. Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, also used $231.85 of her campaign funds on meals and dinners for other legislators.

CalWatchdog.com has previously reported on lawmakers’ use of campaign funds for travel expenses. Earlier this year, six state lawmakers used campaign funds for a spring break trip to Cuba organized by a Capitol lobbyist. Legislators using campaign funds on the trip included Atkins, Calderon and Mitchell; as well as Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, R-San Luis Obispo; Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley; and Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton.

$6.7 Million in Behested Payments to Pet Causes

In addition to gifts, Common Cause analyzed contributions made at the request of legislators and statewide officers. These “behested payments” to politicians pet causes totaled $6.7 million in  2013. Ethics experts say these payments offer another form of influence.

“We call it an end run around contributions limits,” Bob Stern of the nonprofit Center for Governmental Studies told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2009.

Gov. Jerry Brown has been the state’s top fundraiser for non-profits. “From 2006 through September of 2013, he has raised a total of $22.5 million through behested payments for his favorite charitable causes,” Capitol Weekly reported earlier this year. “As a point of comparison, the amount is more than half the price-tag of his 2010 gubernatorial campaign, which racked up some $40.5 million in political contributions.”

Common Cause, one of the nation’s most effective grassroots advocacy groups, promotes good government issues and tracks special interest involvement in politics. A copy of the report is available at Gifts, Influence, and Power: A Report on Gifts Given to California’s Elected Officials.