San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas has been operating a for-profit consulting firm while seeking re-election. Public records reveal the existence of 'Nora Vargas LLC', established last year and reporting up to $10,000 in consulting fees. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the balance between her public duties and private business interests.
San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas has been operating a for-profit consulting firm out of her Chula Vista home while simultaneously seeking re-election to her position. Newly filed public records reveal that Vargas established 'Nora Vargas LLC' last year and began accepting clients. According to a state-mandated disclosure filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, Vargas reported collecting up to $10,000 in consulting fees between July and December.
While there is no legal prohibition against elected officials running businesses on the side, the potential for conflicts of interest arises when these endeavors intersect with their public duties. This situation echoes a previous instance involving Jesus Cardenas, Vargas's former campaign manager, who ran a political consulting firm while serving as an advisor to a San Diego City Council member. Cardenas faced scrutiny for his dual roles and eventually resigned from his position.Vargas, the first immigrant and Latina elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, declined to comment on her consulting work when contacted by The San Diego Union-Tribune. She stated that she lacked the time for a discussion and abruptly ended the phone call. Subsequent text messages seeking further clarification went unanswered. Public records indicate that 'Nora Vargas LLC' was registered last July and operates from Vargas's personal residence. Her role as a County Supervisor carries significant responsibilities, overseeing a vast bureaucracy that provides diverse public services, including law enforcement, land-use planning, public health, and libraries. The position is generally considered full-time, demanding considerable attention and commitment from its holder. Vargas's consulting firm raises questions about the balance between her public duties and her private business interests.Campaign finance disclosures reveal that Vargas actively solicited and received campaign contributions while simultaneously establishing her consulting firm. It remains unclear whether Vargas engaged in professional consulting services before the election or before December 20, when she announced her intention to resign at the end of her first term. Campaign reports filed with the Registrar of Voters show that Vargas collected over $41,000 in contributions to her supervisor's campaign since July, coinciding with the launch of 'Nora Vargas LLC'
ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN FINANCE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST PUBLIC OFFICIALS CONSULTING BUSINESS SAN DIEGO COUNTY
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