Affidavit: Tony Krvaric & San Diego Republican Party

Fair Political Practices Commission
Enforcement Division
ATTN: Annaraine Diaz
428 J Street, Suite #620
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: FFPC Complaint # 08/0799
(Filed Nov/Dec 2008 by Drs. MaryRose Consiglio and Thomas J.
Sherman)

Dear Ms Diaz:

My name is Ryan Patrick Mulvey. I live at 12425 Rue Cheaumont, San
Diego, CA, 92131. My phone number is (858) 349-2058. My e-mail
address is ryan.mulvey-10@sandiego.edu. I am 21 years old and
attend the University of San Diego. I am employed as a parish
organist by the Diocese of San Diego. I am also the former
Operations Manager for the Republican Party of San Diego County. I
was employed in this position from around August of 2006 until my
resignation, effective the beginning of January 2009. Prior to
this, I was a paid intern for the Party from June 2006 to my hiring
as Operations Manager.

I am filing this affidavit with your office as further testimony to
the existing complaint filed by Drs. MaryRose Consiglio and Tom
Sherman. I hope that my account of what I witnessed might aid in
your office’s investigation. I am willing to discuss any of the
material within this letter, even in a court of law, if so called
upon. I am also willing to answer questions.

As Operations Manager, I was in a unique position of observing
intimate details of the machinations of the Party. I was in charge
of maintaining our database and website, of serving as liaison with
elected officials, of directing our candidate endorsement process,
and of accounting finances. I tracked all income which was received
through our office and was responsible for the final disbursements
of payments for debts. I worked closely with April Boling, our
assistant treasurer and accountant. I was also employed by Boling
during the past general election; I was responsible for the initial
preparation of government disclosure reports and the general ledger
tracking for the local Party and other PACs. Because of this unique
perspective, and the close relationships I was able to develop, I
saw a side to Tony Krvaric, current county chairman, and Ron
Nehring, former county chairman currently serving as chairman of
the California Republican Party (CRP), that others rarely witness.
There have been numerous occasions, some over extended periods of
time, during which both Krvaric and Nehring exhibited behavior that
I found both inappropriate and questionable. It is my intent to
share these observations with you.

Ron Nehring, while chairman of the local Party, insisted on
receiving Hyatt Rewards Points for the monthly public committee
meetings held, according to the Election Code, at the Manchester
Grand Hyatt. Monthly costs for these meetings often equaled or
exceeded $1,500.00-$1,900.00. On one occasion, Nehring, realizing
the hotel had suspended this accumulation of award points (since
the Party was paying), had staff continuous call hotel catering
services to have the points reinstated. Nehring continued this
behavior while at the CRP, and used the awards accumulated to take
personal vacations around the world. While chairman of San Diego he
even took an excursion to London for the weekend on these points,
or so he boasted to staff. He was very liberal in his expensing of
hotels, car rentals, etc. even in the San Diego region, little more
than an hour or two drive from his home in Crest, CA. After he left
San Diego for the CRP, Nehring retained Party property, including a
laptop, which he has yet to return as of January 2009. Recent media
reports have exposed this same sort of behavior at the CRP to this
day; disclosures show Nehring even expensing gym memberships as
part of the Party’s “victory strategy.”

Nehring also utilized county Party employees in his CRP election
campaigns “without reimbursement,” or rather on the local Party’s
dime. Staff was asked to attend convention and “required” to assist
in his campaigning, which included, but was not limited to,
whipping voters and distributing fliers, buttons, signs, etc.
Nehring (and Krvaric) also required staff to assist in the
campaigns of CRP Vice-Chair Tom Del Becaro and CRP Vice-Chair-South
Warene Wall. At these same conventions, Nehring and Krvaric
masterminded a proxy scheme by which they obtained blank signed
proxy appointments from CRP members across the state. These were
assigned to “trustworthy” alternates who were pressured to vote for
particular candidates. This happened to me at the 2008 Spring
Convention. I was given two proxies and threatened into voting for
particular candidates, though I did not ultimately do so. I was
accused of not “being on the team.”

I was told of a special arrangement prior to my employment between
the county Party and our preferred publisher, Bieber
Communications. While Nehring was chairman he incurred campaign
finance violation fines. However, rather than have the Party pay
for it, and consequently have a blot on his “record,” he arranged
for Bieber Communications to admit culpability and pay the fined in
their entirety. In return, the Party was to use Bieber for all our
design and publication needs. Nehring encouraged Bieber to “pad”
invoices, essentially charging extra, so they would eventually be
repaid. When Krvaric was first chairman, he was unaware of this
arrangement and was rather angry that we were continuing to use
Bieber at an elevated price compared to competitors. Eventually,
though, he acquiesced and continued Nehring’s practice.

Krvaric has also abused his financial privileges. Throughout my
employment he submitted numerous incomplete or suspicious
reimbursement requests. Many of these were eventually approved by
April Boling. In one instance, invoices were unavailable, but it is
my understanding Krvaric was still reimbursed. Mileage
reimbursements hardly ever included the specifics required of
employees; often, they consisted of merely “2,000 miles” for “Party
business,” etc. Employees were required by Krvaric to provide
detailed descriptions of travel, including odometer readings.
Krvaric spent thousands of dollars on items unapproved by the
Executive Committee, including laptops. When Krvaric was elected
chairman, he proceeded to submit reimbursement requests to the sum
of $6,000.00+ for a trip to Washington, DC, which had taken place
over a year previously. Boling initially hesitated to approve this
because of the length of time that had elapsed and the
inconvenience of amending over a year of reports. Krvaric was
ultimately reimbursed, to the best of my knowledge, in full.

Additionally, during the last election cycle, Krvaric approved
payment of over $4,000 to Jerry VanDeWeghe, campaign manager for
Robert Ilko, a candidate in San Diego City Council District 5.
VanDeWeghe was thereafter given monthly “contract” payments, though
he provided no tangible service to the Party. In fact, Krvaric
often complained of VanDeWeghe’s “uselessness.” It was understood
within the office that this arrangement was approved in order to
eliminate any competition for Carl DeMaio, who was a favorite of
Krvaric, Nehring, and the “inner-circle” leadership of the Party,
which included Coronado Communications, a favored vendor.

Krvaric organized a similar scheme for Michael McSweeney, Vice-
Chairman of the local Party, who was fired from the re-election
campaign of Mayor Jerry Sanders after it was publically revealed he
had attempted to bribe one of the mayor’s opponents. Krvaric also
withheld payment from other candidate to whom he had a verbal
contract to pay filing fees, etc. These candidates included Jeff
Perwin and Dan Felser. Krvaric’s refusal to reimburse Felser lead
to two private suits against the Party and Jonathan Buettner,
former COO, which were eventually settled out of court. Perwin, who
was also contracted for database management and GOTV precinct
operations, was repeatedly harassed by Krvaric, who would withhold
or delay payment of services provided. Krvaric accused Perwin of
not fulfilling his obligations to the Party (as a candidate and as
a vendor) and threatened to end his involvement in local politics
if he did not cooperate with his demands. In fact, Krvaric ordered
me on numerous occasions to ignore Perwin’s calls and e-mails for
these stated reasons. Eventually, payment was disbursed after
Krvaric obtained an ex-officio alternate appointment for one of his
favorites.

Krvaric’s relationship with Coronado Communications is rather
suspicious. During the election cycle, there were numerous e-mails
and joke graphics that were passed among committee members and
donors lambasting Krvaric as a “part-time partner” of Coronado.
Allegedly, he was getting a “cut” of the profits from business he
himself was providing as chairman of the Party. I meet Krvaric
numerous times at Coronado Communications’ headquarters (then
located in downtown San Diego) to have check requests signed. Tony
seemed to have his own desk at which he was always working. Often
he would spend long periods of time at this desk. He had a close
relationship with both Duane Dichara and Jennifer Jacobs; the
former being considered a “puppet master” of local politics both in
San Diego and Sacramento.

Krvaric withheld payment for almost a year on legal services
provided by McAteer & McAteer of San Diego. He was apparently
unsatisfied with their services and had expected them to provide
them pro bono. He expressed these very sentiments to me in person,
exclaiming they ought to be grateful they were even asked by him to
provide this legal advice. He told me he would “destroy” them and
their reputation in the city, telling donors to take their legal
needs elsewhere. He hinted at doing this for other vendors as well,
including the Party’s preferred office supply printer, Minuteman
Press.

Krvaric and Nehring also manipulated the committee and executive
board on other elections issues. Krvaric rejected the standard
endorsement questionnaire submitted to all GOP candidates. He
specifically added questions regarding criminal record, to target
conservative Christian activist James Hartline, as well as whether
candidates had declared bankruptcy. The latter was specifically
included to harass and intimidate long-time GOP activists Larry and
Rose Urdahl. James Kelly, a member of the committee and a colleague
of Larry Urdahl on the Grossmont Union High School Board of
Trustees, was instrumental in this harassment. Numerous committee
members protested this singling out; Krvaric refused to publically
acknowledge their complaints. Krvaric and Nehring also pushed
through numerous endorsements of local officials and candidates for
CRP office without prior notification to the membership or debate
within the meeting. Dissenting committee members were frequently
accused of “not being on the team,” especially if they raised
concern over early appointments, or those appointments made by
“acclamation.”

I know for a fact that Krvaric and other Executive Board members
were responsible for the publication of slates for the Central
Committee elections. Jonathan Buettner, former COO of the Party,
told me how he was in attendance at these meetings during which
names were compiled; he was upset in the end, since he was not been
chosen for inclusion. I also learned of the existence of these
secret meetings from Gary Felien, the Party’s treasurer, in casual
conversation. I was also aware that April Boling, the Party’s
accountant, was aware of what was going on, as she was the
treasurer for the slate’s front organization. I do not know the
extent to which she was knowledgeable of Krvaric, Nehring, and
other committee members’ involvement.

As for other committee matters, Krvaric has violated numerous
sections of the State Election Code and the bylaws of the
Republican Party of San Diego County. Due to basic ignorance of the
rules of parliamentary procedure outlined in our bylaws, Krvaric
has repeatedly refused to allow debate or to entertain valid
motions, despite my objections (as an experienced parliamentarian)
and those of William Baber, lawyer and committee parliamentarian,
with whom I often collaborated. This was especially highlighted in
the controversy over the filling of vacancies to the committee. Not
only did Krvaric refuse to dismiss members who had violated the
bylaws by a universal standard, picking and choosing who to remove
instead, he also deliberately misled committee members and legal
counsel. Both Nehring and Krvaric lied to Charles Bell of
Sacramento, CA, who is often employed by the Party for legal
advice. Jonathan Buettner and I, took it upon us to contact Bell on
numerous occasions to clarify his memoranda and express our
hesitancy to accept what Nehring and Krvaric were telling him
privately. Ultimately, we retrieved documentary evidence of
Krvaric’s wrongfulness, based on a footnote in one of Bell’s memos.
These were provided to legal counsel and a final letter was
released to the Committee, paid out of its funds. Krvaric refused
to make this final memo available as he had with all the others
supporting his position. Bell refused to take calls or to respond
to e-mails from members or staff. Krvaric confronted both Buettner
and me over this matter, accusing us of being “disloyal,”
“backstabbing,” and not part of the “team.” To this day the memo
has not been released.

Before I left the Party last January, and after Jonathan Buettner
had been “dismissed,” Krvaric invited me to a private lunch. He
took the opportunity to confront me over a number of the issues
above, including the Bell memorandum. He asked whether I thought
him to be my “leader” and whether I “stood behind him.” He
continued on about loyalty and “steadfastness” no matter what
actions he might take. He suggested that “staffers” do not
understand the complexity of politics and should merely “follow” no
matter their consciences. Krvaric expressed distress over the
current situation in the office; he forbade former employees,
including Nicole Parsons and Laura Schencker, from even setting
foot in the office again, accusing them of being “sexual harassment
liabilities.” He lamented how he should be the “godfather of
politics in San Diego.” He told me that we (the staff) had
disappointed him because we had not helped him reach this image,
garnering favors and “debts” to his name; he wanted people to “owe
him” and vice versa. Krvaric finally stated that the next year
would involve “cleaning house” and taking care of committee members
who were not cooperating with his regime. I returned to the office,
having expressed hesitancy to continue in my position, but
promising “loyalty” in the mean time. I felt so physically repulsed
that I resigned my position within a week.

I remain an alternate member of the committee. Many members,
donors, and volunteers, not realizing I am no longer on staff,
approach me with countless complaints of harassment and neglect.
Barret Tetlow, the current Executive Director, has verbally abused
more than one committee member and refuses to answer phone calls
and e-mails on many occasions. Committee members are also harassed
continuously by Krvaric and his executive board. Anthony Porrello,
a dedicated Party and committee member has been verbally assaulted
by Tetlow. He is essentially banned from headquarters and has been
surrounded by Krvaric and Tetlow, have threatened calling the
police if Porrello does not stay away. My regular member, Dayna
Hydrick, has been nearly physically accosted by Tetlow. Two months
ago we were both surrounded by “friends of Tony,” who questioned
why were not in the assigned seats now determined by Krvaric.
Despite her handicap, she was told to sit in an uncomfortable
position. Eventually, we moved in protest to the back of the room,
but such harassment is commonplace.

Committee members are also denied access to Executive Board
meetings, which was not regular policy previously. Rosters are not
provided to members, despite the fact they are public information
regarding elected officials. Krvaric has suggested that members
collect information on their own to make their own lists.
Attendance reports are no longer provided for members, leaving no
accountability as to whether individuals are in compliance with the
bylaws. Finally, meeting announcements are not provided in
accordance with the bylaws. Minutes are often incomplete; financial
information is never provided. In my own experience, Krvaric and
his staff have refused to include me in committee mailings and
virtually ignore my appointment, which has been in place since
2006.

On May 11, 2009, at the latest regular central committee meeting,
Gary Felien, in his “secret” treasury report to committee members,
discussed certain “accusations” being spread around the committee
by “certain individuals.” He did not elaborate and Tony refused to
allow any discussion of the matter, but Felien seemed to be
concerned over rumors regarding financial mismanagement. He ended
his remarks as follows (this is not a direct quote): “Even if there
was something going on, it’d be like .1% or something, and that’s
nothing in the large scheme of things. We shouldn’t be worried
about that small amount of money…we have so much something’s bound
to get lost.” This is the sort of chicanery committee members are
forced to endure month in and month out.

I recognize the length of this complaint, but I would like to
recall one more incident that is not necessarily in violation of
the law, but still gives an impression of the current leadership’s
attitude. Just weeks ago, at the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, I
was an invited guest of Congressman Darrell Issa. Seated at the
table were his staff and other committee members ostracized by
Krvaric as “disloyal.” Originally, the congressman’s table was
placed near the front, as it should have been, given his
sponsorship level and political position; I know this from personal
experience. Immediately before the event, though, Elizabeth Moyer,
another staffer, under direction from Krvaric, moved our table to
the very back of the room, near the service entrance. Naturally,
Issa’s district director took notice of this. Moyer approached
Jonathan Buettner that night and accused him of working to get
Krvaric’s “enemies,” the “bad” committee members, on Issa’s guest
list. Krvaric was certainly within his rights, I suppose, to do
what he did. But the mind-set with which he did it is indicative of
his general attitude towards others, towards the committee, and
towards politics in general. He does not care for democratic
exercise or for dissent. In this way, I would consider him a
dangerous individual; he will continue to harass, intimidate, and
control as long as he possibly can.

I hope that what I have been able to provide is helpful in your
investigation. If I recall any further events, which is likely
given the extensive experience I have with both Krvaric and
Nehring, I will be sure to report them to you as quickly as they
come to mind. And, as I mentioned previously, I am more than
willing to answer any questions, to provide any clarification, and
to give any testimony, as it is deemed necessary.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ryan P Mulvey

Tags: CAGOP, Corruption, Criminal, Darrell Issa, Republican Party Chairman, Ron Nehring, San Diego Republican Party, SDGOP, Tony Krvaric