California FPPC fines San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan $27,500 for late disclosure of more than $2.3 million in behested payments
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The California Fair Political Practices Commission approved a $27,500 fine against San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan under a settlement, reported by San Jose Spotlight on September 18, 2026. The fine concerns 38 behested payments from 2024 to 2026, totaling more than $2.3 million, that were not reported to the state on time: about $1.9 million to Back to Basics California, a nonprofit tied to Mahan, and $400,000 to the nonprofit behind the Cinequest film festival. Mahan said he self-reported the error as soon as he learned of it. His former chief of staff Jim Reed, who left City Hall in December to lead Back to Basics California, said "This is 100% on me, not the mayor," and that "it's my fault we didn't disclose the same information to the state."
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