State Investigating Campaign Spending of SF Lawmaker Who Paid Thousands for 49ers Games

California’s political watchdog agency is investigating Assemblymember Matt Haney’s use of campaign funds following media reports about tens of thousands of dollars spent on outings to sports games, dinners and theatrical shows.

Haney’s spending included tickets to two January 49ers playoff games, racking up ticket costs of more than $33,500 — plus drinks for a tailgate party and food at the stadium — along with tickets to a Warriors game and a BroadwaySF show, according to campaign finance reporting.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission’s investigation comes after the San Francisco Standard first raised questions about his use of official funds last month.

Amber Maltbie, Haney’s campaign attorney, told KQED on Wednesday that his “campaign committees have fully complied with campaign finance laws, and [they] are confident that the FPPC will reach the same conclusion.”

On Monday, the FPPC’s enforcement division sent Haney and his campaign treasurers a letter informing them that it was launching an investigation into potential violations of the California Political Reform Act. Jay Wierenga, the FPPC’s communications director, said the commission will look at funds spent on Haney’s current reelection bid as well as his first campaign for Assembly in 2022.

The Political Reform Act regulates the disclosure of political campaign contributions and spending in California. It states that campaign funds cannot be used to pay for tickets to entertainment or sporting events for elected officials, candidates, family members or staff members “unless their attendance at the event is directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose.”

It’s not uncommon for candidates to take representatives from donor organizations to entertainment events and meals as part of their fundraising efforts. State Sen. Scott Wiener’s campaign committee reported spending about $3,270 on a play and dinner fundraiser last December, for example, and Mayor London Breed’s reelection committee reported spending over $3,700 at The Battery — a members club that features a bar, library and hotel — for a campaign meeting in November 2022.

The sports games and shows included in Haney’s recent campaign spending reports were described as “campaign fundraiser(s),” but a spokesperson for Haney did not respond to questions about whether or how many donors were in attendance at the games with him.

Haney, who represents the eastern parts of San Francisco in the state Assembly, is up for reelection this fall. He was first elected in a special election in 2022 after serving as a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.

In two committee campaign statements reporting contributions and expenditures between Jan. 1 and Feb. 17, Haney reported receiving a total of $102,050 and spending about $139,500. In 2023, his committee reported receiving more than $727,000 and spending around $482,000.

The letter from the FPPC to Haney and his treasurers says that the commission has not made any determinations about the possible violations yet.