Legislator calls for investigation of Newsom's FOIA request

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(The Center Square) - Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, is requesting an investigation into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s use of California taxpayers-funded resources after Newsom's recent Freedom of Information Act request.

DeMaio sent a letter to the California Fair Political Practices Commission and to Attorney General Rob Bonta on Tuesday, requesting the investigation. DeMaio’s request came one day after Newsom formally made a FOIA request via the FOIA portal and email regarding the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation into him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

“Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has been conducting a fishing expedition in search of a crime that does not exist. The American people deserve to know who ordered this abuse of power and how far it goes,” Newsom said, as previously reported by The Center Square. 

DeMaio noted in his press release that Newsom and his wife are allegedly being investigated for personal matters not related to their governmental roles.

“I respectfully request clarification regarding whether the use of public resources for matters involving the personal or political interests of an elected official is authorized under California law,” DeMaio said in the letter. 

“It is illegal for Gavin Newsom to use taxpayer-funded staff and resources to defend a criminal probe into his personal matters,” DeMaio further added in his press release.

The Center Square reached out to DeMaio, who requested questions by email. His answers weren't emailed back by publication time.

DeMaio is calling for taxpayers to be reimbursed for any funds Newsom uses for personal matters.

“Newsom should immediately reimburse taxpayers for any government staff time spent on the FOIA request and should instead hire a private criminal defense attorney with his personal funds to handle this matter going forward,” DeMaio said in his press release.

The Center Square reached out to Newsom, but did not hear back from the Governor's Office by publication time.

Earlier this week, The Center Square obtained information that the U.S. Department of Justice has been conducting investigations into people close to Newsom during the past year.

Meanwhile, the California Fair Political Practices Commission on Thursday morning voted 3-0 to fine Newsom $31,500 for his failure to timely file 31 behested payment reports, as previously reported by The Center Square. The payments totaled more than $5.5 million.