Berkeley mayor Arreguín investigated over possible campaign violations

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin is suspected of breaking local election laws during his campaign last year by not reimbursing his campaign manager in time for purchases she made. Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin is suspected of breaking local election laws during his campaign last year by not reimbursing his campaign manager in time for purchases she made. Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Leah Millis, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Berkeley mayor Arreguín investigated over possible campaign violations 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín is under investigation by a city commission for 18 possible campaign funding violations.

The Fair Campaign Practices Commission was meeting Thursday to discuss whether Arreguín deliberately broke local election laws during his campaign last year by not reimbursing his campaign manager before a statutory deadline for $3,339.66 worth of supplies purchased on 18 occasions. He was elected in 2016.

Arreguín did not respond to calls for comment.

Campaign manager and treasurer Jacquelyn McCormick bought drinks, food, printing supplies and phone services, among other things. The purchases were made from June through December of last year, according to city documents. McCormick, who is now Arreguín’s senior adviser, paid for the items with a personal credit card.

She was reimbursed on Aug. 7, 2017, breaking a local law requiring purchases to be reported and reimbursed within 45 days — or the money spent is considered a donation.

Because McCormick had already given the legal individual campaign donation limit of $250 total, the extra expenditures, including paying for yard signs and print-outs, are considered second donations and are not allowed. They were considered illegal anyways because the reimbursements took longer than 45 calendar days.

If the commission decides Arreguín failed to remiburse McCormick intentionally, breaking local laws, he could be fined $18,000, according to a commission report.

A different staff report shows that they believe there is enough evidence to show Arreguín violated the laws.

“Staff’s investigation finds adequate evidence to conclude that the committee committed eighteen violations,” the report said.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn