FPPC dismisses complaint against Richmond Councilmember Doria Robinson
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt against City Councilmember Doria Robinson, alleging violations related to her involvement with the Transformative Climate Communities grant.
The FPPC determined there was insufficient evidence to support Butt’s claims that Robinson failed to comply with advice provided by the commission in Advice Letter A-24-033. The decision follows a review of a 53-page complaint submitted by Butt in August 2024.
In a statement, Robinson expressed frustration with the repeated accusations, which she described as baseless. “Clearly, I have continued to follow the direction given to me by FPPC, and I am not in violation of the law,” she said, emphasizing that the $30 million TCC grant was secured before her tenure on the council.
Soren Hemmila
“Last year, former Mayor Tom Butt filed a second complaint against me with the FPPC after they found the first complaint to be unfounded,” Robinson said. “Today they find AGAIN that there is no evidence to support his assertion that I have violated the advice received by the FPPC regarding the Transformative Climate Communities TCC grant.”
Robinson reaffirmed her commitment to Richmond, saying, “As I’ve always said, I will do all I can to follow all legal advice and stay squarely within the boundaries of the law. And just like my work on the team who successfully negotiated the half-billion-dollar settlement with Chevron, I will continue to be a champion for Richmond, bringing in the much-needed resources to improve our city and focusing on moving forward long-awaited projects like Mira Flores, Nystrom Village, and the MLK Center that were virtually forgotten for the past 10 years.”
The FPPC’s letter to Butt by Enforcement Division Chief James M. Lindsay, reiterated that the evidence presented did not warrant enforcement action.
“After review of the complaint and evidence provided, the Enforcement Division will not pursue an enforcement action in this matter, as there was insufficient evidence provided to show Doria Robinson failed to comply with FPPC Advice Letter A-24-033,” Lindsay said.
Butt, however, remains undeterred and filed a Request for Reconsideration Complaint to FPPC on Thursday, January 23. “The corruption at Richmond City Hall is as bad as Oakland, and the truth will eventually come out,” he said.
Butt stated in the request the FPPC should reevaluate its initial response to his complaint, claiming that the June 6, 2024, advice letter was flawed. He argued the opinion was based on incomplete and critical facts.
Robinson responded sharply to Butt’s comments online, accusing him of engaging in persistent harassment. “I really thought so much more highly of you before I was able to see behind the scenes … if only people knew,” Robinson said.
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