RANCHO MIRAGE — Wayne Avrashow, a political newcomer in this insular community of veteran politicians, is coming out of the gate swinging. He has hired a Los Angeles-based attorney to issue a cease and desist letter to City Councilmembers Ted Weill and Michael O’Keefe.

Avrashow is demanding the pair cease and desist from misusing city equipment, campaigning on city property and while in city uniform, and otherwise violating City of Rancho Mirage Rules & Regulations and California State Law in Connection with City Council Campaigns.

As you know, the City of Rancho Mirage Personnel Rules & Regulations, adopted Dec. 2, 2021 (the “Regulations”), prohibit the types of activities in which you have been engaging. Specifically:

  1. You are prohibited from using any City equipment, supplies, or other City items while engaged in outside activities, such as campaigning for election to the City Council (see attached Regulation 1204.6);
  2. You are prohibited from participating in political activities, such as campaigning for election to the City Council, while in a City uniform or other City issued clothing (see attached Regulation 1206.3); and
  3. You are prohibited from engaging in political activity, such as campaigning for election to the City Council, while on City property (see attached Regulation 1206.4).

The three-page cease and desist letter lists other grievances, and he means business.

“Appointed Councilmember O’Keefe’s and Mayor Pro Tem Weill’s ongoing pattern and practice of purposely blurring the line between their roles as members of the Council and as candidates for the Council – which appears to be intentional – must not be allowed to continue,” the attorney wrote. “Not only do these actions appear to violate the law, but they are a disservice to the citizens of Rancho Mirage and extremely disruptive to the democratic process.”

Please confirm that you will immediately cease and desist from engaging in these activities and will remove all improper images from your campaign websites, all social media posts, and wherever else they may appear. Thank you for your anticipated
cooperation, and we look forward to your responses no later than September 4, 2024.”

He has copied the following:

Michael A. Hestrin, Esq., Riverside County District Attorney
Riverside County District Attorney Public Integrity Unit
Robert A. Bonta, Esq., California Attorney General
James M. Lindsay, Esq., Chief of Enforcement,
California Fair Political Practices Commission
Colin Kirkpatrick, Esq., Rancho Mirage City Attorney

Election season is full underway.

 

Image Sources

  • Cease and Desist: Shutterstock