CCFCC Applauds Fair Political Practices Commission Opening Investigation of Fish and Game Commissioner Mike Sutton

Sutton Violated Conflict of Interest Laws

FPPC Opens Formal Investigation
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The following is a statement from the CCFCC:

On Tuesday, May 19, 2009, the California Fair Political Practices Commission
disclosed that the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices
Commission (the "FPPC") has opened a formal investigation into Fish and Game
Commissioner George Michael Sutton. This action is in response to the sworn
complaint against Sutton filed by the Central Coast Fisheries Conservation
Coalition (CCFCC) and the CCFCC fully supports the FPPC action.

Sutton is charged with violating the Political Reform Act (PRA) of 1974 because
of his conflicts of interest on votes on the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)
while serving on the Fish and Game Commission. "The CCFCC has more aggressive
legal avenues to pursue if Commissioner Sutton does not resign," said CCFCC
President Melvin de la Motte. "Such measures could result in civil money damages
against Sutton, but we are hopeful that he will do the right thing for
California."

Specifically, Sutton's action in voting to approve the Draft Master Plan of the
MLPA violated the PRA because it was reasonably foreseeable that the decision
would have a material financial effect on his own income and on his employer and
source of income, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation (Aquarium). As Vice
President and founding director of the Aquarium's Center For the Future of the
Oceans, Sutton is paid a salary to influence policy and to support efforts to
create a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in California and offshore
waters, including fully protected marine reserves.

Had Sutton voted to amend the existing MPAs for the Central Coast (which are
included in the Master Plan), he would have been voting to gut or weaken a
system of MPAs in which, his employer exults, the Center for the Future of the
Oceans, under his stewardship, played a "key role" in having adopted.

Sutton's conflicts do not derive solely from the mere fact that he is a salaried
employee of the Aquarium. He is in fact closely connected to many of the key
players involved in the process of implementing the MLPA and these connections
create conflicts under the Political Reform Act (See Chart).

Sutton also violated the Fish and Game Commission's own conflict code by failing
to disclose as required by law his employment with the Aquarium.

Sutton's participation in any Fish and Game Commission decision relating to MPAs
or to the establishment of limitations on fishing is prohibited under the PRA
and a cease and desist order must be issued restraining Sutton from
participating in such decisions.

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CCFCC
Mel de la Motte, 805-544-2424 (President)

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