Today, Tuesday August 20, 2024 I received official notice from the FPPC that the sworn complaint submitted by the former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt was officially rejected by the FPPC.
They state, “After review of the complaint and evidence provided, it was determined that a conflict of interest violation does not exist in this set of facts as outlined by FPPC Advice Letter A-24-033. Additionally, your allegations state that evidence exists to show routine comingling of funds and concern regarding any connection of Doria Robinson to Rich City Rides, but you failed to provide any evidence to support your claims; therefore the complaint fails to comply with the Regulation 18360(a)(I)(D) and (E). Furthermore, the complaint fails to establish that Doria Robinson participated in any governmental decision pertaining to any of the Rich City entities referenced.” [Read the full FPPC Letter]
Since being elected Tom Butt, his sons, Daniel and Andrew Butt as well as his followers such as Oscar Garcia have waged a number of baseless attacks on myself and Urban Tilth, the organization I helped build and currently help to lead.
They have maliciously posted on social media and in Tom Butt’s e-forum misleading information to try to sully the over 20 years of powerful and transformative work in Richmond that I have dedicated my life to.
They have submitted formal complaints to the California Attorney General’s Office and the FPPC.
After investigations, where myself and Urban Tilth shared all documents requested, and even more documents that were not requested but offered up as further evidence that we are operating in compliance with all laws, both agencies closed both of these investigations finding no evidence of wrongdoing on my part or the part of Urban Tilth.
It is disheartening that the Butt’s and their followers use their privilege, access, and resources to try to destroy things and people that have helped to bring truly good things to Richmond.
I am proud of being apart of the team of 5 organizations (Groundwork Richmond, Grid Alternatives, Trust for Public Land, Rich City Rides, and Lifelong Medical Center) and the City of Richmond to bring in the $30 million dollar Transformative Climate Communities grant to Richmond before I was elected to City Council.
Now as a Council Member, I have served on the adhoc negotiating team that helped to secure a HALF BILLION dollar tax settlement for the City and I look forward to helping to bring in more funds to meet the city’s many needs.
I strongly believe that this is one of the essential roles of a city council member, to support efforts to increase revenue to create financial health and stability for our city, and I will do everything in my power to fulfill this responsibility.
As leaders we should be focused on meeting our communities needs, researching and becoming informed so that we can put forward real solutions, rooted in facts, for the many problems that the city faces and plotting a visionary, yet pragmatic pathway forward.
We should spend our time working hard to improve conditions for residents in our city. This is how I have spent the last 20 years of my professional and now my political life – focused on the real work needed to improve this city.
I look forward to continuing to work smart and hard to serve the people and city I so deeply love.
Council Member Doria Robinson, August 20, 2024