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Mayor Stan Kawczynski

FPPC complaints allege violations by mayor

Kawczynski says charges are 'a bunch of hooey'

By Natasha Collins

Two complaints filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission allege that Mayor Stan Kawczynski accepted gifts in excess of the $1,000 limit and was participating in unfair political practices. But according to city and county records, parts of the complaints may have been filed erroneously.

The complaints, filed Oct. 6 and Oct. 8, state that Kawczynski violated the Public Reform Act by receiving a reduction in rent for the house he lives in at 562 S. Mathilda Ave. The complaints also charge that there was a conflict of interest in Kawczynski's renting the house because it was owned by the Olson family, one of the largest landowners in Sunnyvale. The family has had several projects come before the city in the last few years. According to county and city records, however, the house is owned by Carolina Musso of Sunnyvale.

FPPC officials would not release the names of the people filing the complaints.

Kawczynski said the allegations against him are ridiculous and unfounded. According to Kawczynski, he pays his rent to Caroline Ryan--Carolina Musso's married name--and not the Olson family.

"I have nothing to do with the Olson family," he said. "This is just a bunch of hooey. It sounds like this is a witch hunt."

Kawczynski also contends that he is paying a fair market rate for his house, and the person nextdoor is paying less than he is.

"I am paying the price that [the landlord] offered me," he said. "She set the price, and I agreed with it."

Ryan confirmed that she owns the house and that Kawczynski is renting it at market rate. "I have owned that house for years. I grew up in that house," she said. "I don't just hand out places to stay. It is all legitimate."

The FPPC receives more than 700 complaints a week and has not had the opportunity to review the complaint filed against the mayor, said Gary Huckaby, of the complaints division of the FPPC.

"In two to three weeks, we should have come to a decision as to whether or not there will be a formal investigation," Huckaby said. "If indeed he has been accepting his rent as a gift and if it does constitute income, then he may be in violation of the yearly limit. We won't really know until we have had an opportunity to review the complaint."

According to Huckaby only 10 percent or less of the complaints received are investigated by the FPPC. Even fewer complaints lead to prosecution and fining of the violator, he said.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 15, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.