October 20, 2010
Mr. Steve Cooley
District Attorney
Los Angeles County
210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210
Dear Mr. Cooley:
My name is Jane Barnett, and I am a resident of Los Angeles County. I am writing to you with regard to my concern about the residency and voting history of California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto.
Assemblyman Gatto lives at 2611 Armstrong Avenue in Los Angeles, a residence he shares with his mother. That residence is within the 43rd Assembly District, which he currently represents. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Mr. Gatto has been registered to vote (and has voted) at that address since 2004 - up to and including our most recent election on June 8 of this year.
However, according to readily available public documents – including campaign contribution records filed with the Federal Election Commission and his designation as agent for service of process for a company (JPJ Lending, Inc.) registered with the California Secretary of State, Mr. Gatto’s residence was declared by him to be at 2573 Canyon Lane in Los Angeles during the same period at which he was apparently registered to vote and participating in elections at 2611 Armstrong Avenue (an address also in another district).
I am aware that one who votes in an election must swear that they are a resident at the address at which they are registered, and since Mr. Gatto was apparently registered and voting at one location but living at another, I am concerned that there may be potential voting irregularities.
Ensuring the integrity of our electoral system and requiring that our public officials follow the very rules they are sworn to uphold is imperative in a nation of laws. As Mr. Gatto is currently seeking to be reinvested with the public trust, I respectfully request that your office investigate this matter with all necessary diligence.
Respectfully yours,
Jane Barnett
