Green Party of California

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA CALLS FOR EXPEDITED RESOLUTION OF FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS

For immediate release: May 9, 2003

Contact:
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,

Sacramento -- Expressing sadness over reports of legal and administrative investigations surrounding Santa Monica Councilmember Mike Feinstein, the Green Party of California (GPCA) today announced its concerted effort to see those fundraising and donation management issues matters quickly resolved.

In accordance with standard business practice, the GPCA has strongly requested that Mike Feinstein temporarily withdraw from Green Party activities and committee work. Although the GPCA is not a party to any legal or financial disputes with Feinstein, the GPCA is hopeful that this leave of absence will allow him time to quickly resolve those disputes.

The Green Party is committed to financial accountability, transparency and full disclosure of all donations and disbursements. Since 2001 the GPCA has urged, and continues to urge, that Mike Feinstein make public all expenditures from a $10,000 check intended for the Green Party of Los Angeles County but apparently deposited into a credit union account he controlled. Neither the GPCA Coordinating Committee, nor any GPCA officer, has ever authorized the opening of a state party bank account in Los Angeles County.

The GPCA also responded to misstatements circulating about an office space controlled by Mike Feinstein and used by various groups in the Santa Monica area. The GPCA confirms that it has never maintained, staffed, leased, or authorized leasing of any Southern California office space in the GPCA name.

The GPCA is committed to finding appropriate means of ensuring full transparency and accountability in the matters now under investigation by the legal and administrative authorities with jurisdiction in this matter.

GPCA representatives look forward to swift resolution of those issues, after which the party hopes to meet with Mike Feinstein to re-establish a working relationship toward the benefit of the GPCA, the goals and values of which are shared by the GPCA and Mike Feinstein, a long-time Green Party organizer whose past efforts have been significant and appreciated.

The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437