Vargas’ FPPC Investigation Rolls On

Believe it or not, the FPPC investigation we’re referring to does not involve her conflict of interest in voting on Fire Authority matters. No, this FPPC investigation dates back to December of 2018 when Tracy Attorney Steve Nicolauo filed a complaint over Vargas’ allegations that she used her role on City Council to benefit her former employer Trumark Homes. The FPPC confirmed that a final determination has still not been reached. 

According to the Tracy Press article , “He alleged not only that Vargas acted in conflict with the city’s interest but also that she failed to disclose that she worked for Trumark in her annual Statement of Economic Interest form.” Oops.

Vargas claimed the failure to disclose her work with Trumark as an oversight. However, there are a few things that don’t add up. First, the FPPC responded to a request by then City Attorney Bill Sartor on June 13, 2017, “…for advice on behalf of Tracy Mayor Pro Tern Veronica Vargas regarding the conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act (the "Act").” The conclusion was that, “Because these decisions would have a financial effect on Trumark, the Act would preclude Mayor Pro Tern Vargas from any involvement in these decisions.” However, according to what attorney Nicolauo found, most of the issues in question happened in 2016.

Second, Vargas is the Principal of Agora Land Consulting, which specializes in land entitlements for their developer clients. One would assume that, in order to prevent accusations such as the Trumark Homes matter, that Vargas would have been hypersensitive to filling out her Statement of Economic Interest forms.

Transparent Tracy’s ongoing concern is that “oversights” might still be happening at City Hall. Despite her claims that Gateway and the Downtown Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) were driven by the “council,” it’s well-known at City Hall that Vargas was the driver of both projects. She hasn’t filled out any Statement of Economic Interest forms for either of those projects. Time will tell. 

With ongoing FPPC investigations involving ethics, it makes one wonder why any of the sitting council members would want to partner with Vargas?