Former Councilor, More Focus of FPPC Complaint

Former Rancho Mirage City Councilmember and Two Candidates at Ceneter of FPPC Complaint

RANCHO MIRAGE — A City Councilmember who abruptly resigned in the midst of a City Council meeting last year — and two candidates in the 2024 election i— is now the target of an anonymous complaint filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Meg Maker, who was elected to the seat in 2022, resigned during a discussion regarding a proposed resolution related to conflicts of interest for council members was vindictive and designed to keep “tired old men” on the council. Marker is a co-owner of Marker Broadcasting, which owns five valley radio stations,

The FPPC received the complaint on Oct. 30, 2024. The two candidates have since been cleared, but Marker is still awaiting her fate, according to the FPPC.

The Violations alleged are:

• Improper Use of Campaign Funds
• Use of Campaign Funds for Donations and Loans (89515)
• Councilmember Meg Marker resigned in the middle of a live city council meeting on Sept. 19, 2024 during a discussion related to ‘conflicts of interest’.

Candidates Wayne Avrashow and Gregory Goodman were running in the 2024 election as well n hopes to be elected to the Rancho Mirage City Council.

The last time Form 460 was filed by Councilmember Meg Marker was on 7/26/2024. This form shows the Ending Cash Balance of $9,274.03, according to the complaint.

Candidate Wayne Avrashow’s Form 460 shows he received $1,500 on 10/13/2024 from ‘Meg Marker for City Council 2022’—her Campaign Account—AND—then shows he paid back RM Broadcasting in Palm Desert in the amount of $1,500 for Radio airtime (RAD).  **RM Broadcasting is owned by Meg Marker**

Candidate Greg Goodman’s Form 460 shows he received $1,000 from ‘Meg Marker for City Council 2022’—her Campaign Account on 10/12/2024–AND—then shows on his Form 460 he paid back Marker Broadcasting in Palm Desert in the amount of $1,000 for Radio airtime (RAD).  **Marker Broadcasting is owned by Meg Marker.**

NOTE: Greg Goodman has neglected to file Form 497 which would have shown when he received the $1,000 from Marker Brodcasting, according to the complaint.

The last time Form 460 was filed by Councilmember Meg Marker was on 7/26/2024. This form shows the Ending Cash Balance of $9,274.03

Candidate Wayne Avrashow’s Form 460 shows he received $1,500 on 10/13/2024 from ‘Meg Marker for City Council 2022’—her Campaign Account—AND—then shows he paid back RM Broadcasting in Palm Desert in the amount of $1,500 for Radio airtime (RAD).  **RM Broadcasting is owned by Meg Marker**

Everyone was given 14 days to respond.

You may view the complaint, the 460 forms and response from the FPPC here https://ukenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FPPC-Letter.pdf

As for Gregory Goodman, the Enforcement Division is closing this matter without a fine, your filing officer, the City of Rancho Mirage, may assess late filing penalties. This letter serves as a written warning.

As for Wayne Avrashow, “There is insufficient evidence of a violation by Wayne Avrashow 4 Rancho Mirage City Council 2024, or Wayne Avrashow. Therefore, we are not opening an investigation regarding Avrashow and their committee, according to the FPPC.

As for Marker, her case is not yet resolved.

When Uken Report reached out to Marker for comment via email, Marker responded, “I am happy to comment. If you don’t mind, I am on my way to an event – please send questions and I will email to you – just let me know when would you like to do story and I’ll send off beforehand. Thank you.”

Marker then asked for questions in writing and also asked to meet for tea or coffee on El Paseo for an off-the-record-conversation. Once that was declined, Marker cut off all communication.

“The 2024 campaign for two Rancho Mirage city council seats was contentious,” Councilmember Steve Downs told Uken Report. “Ted Weill and Mickeal O’Keefe were the incumbents and I’m happy that they prevailed by large margins.  After former council member Marker resigned from council over an ethics issue in September of 2024, she immediately shifted her support from Michael O’Keefe to Wayne Avrashow and advertising for Avrashow began running on radio stations owned by Marker and her husband.  If the FPPC is looking into how and why that shift in allegiance happened and if there was irregular campaign account activity associated with that shift, I’m hopeful that the Commission completes is review swiftly and justly.  I’m also hopeful that the 2026 campaign for three Rancho Mirage council seats is conducted in a far more respectful and less contentious way.”

Weill Declined to comment.

O’Keefe also declined to comment on the complaint against Marker. She endorsed his candidacy for City Council early in the campaign. After she resigned from the Council, she rescinded her endorsement of me, and he has not had any further contact with her.