Casino Syndicator and Senator failed to make timely, accurate campaign disclosures; investigation ongoing

It took Detroit casino syndicator Michael Malik, Sr., more than 26 months to report he made a $1,000 contribution to California State Senator Roy Ashburn, in the Fall of 2006. And even then, that disclosure doesn’t sync with reports filed by Ashburn’s committee.

Malik reports in amended disclosures filed 12.23.08 that he lives in Detroit, MI 48201; his employer/occupation is MJM Manistee Inc./Developer; and that he contributed $1,000 to “Ashburn for Senate 2006” (ID: 1252371) on 10.18.06.

In a campaign report filed on 1.31.07 for the period from 10.22.06 through 12.31.06, the “Roy Ashburn Senate Committee” reported it received a $1,000 contribution from Michael Malik of Sacramento, CA 95814 on 10.24.06. Ashburn’s report indicates Malik’s employer/occupation is Governmental Advocates, Inc./Owner.

Malik isn't based in Sacramento. He lives and has his businesses in the Detroit area. And he wants to develop casinos in Barstow, CA, among other places.

Governmental Advocates Inc. is a lobbying firm that Malik had hired and was paying under the table to represent two Indian tribes (Big Lagoon Rancheria and Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians) that were partners with Malik’s affiliate BarWest LLC.

It does not appear that Ashburn disclosed the last minute campaign contribution from Malik as required under California political finance rules in any of the Late Contribution Reports (F497) filed by Ashburn’s Committee during October 2006. And Malik didn’t report making any such contribution until December 2008.

During 2006 & 2007 Ashburn championed failed legislation in Sacramento that would have paved the way for Malik and his partner Marian Ilitch to build two casino resorts in Barstow, CA.

Malik originally failed to report more than $26,000 in contributions to California political committees when he filed a report in 2007 for the period 7.01.06 through 12.01.06. Rather he reported under penalty of perjury that he made $0.00 contributions during that period.

For nearly two years, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has been investigating Malik’s blatant failure to report these contributions and also irregularities in lobbying payments and practices. The amended 2006 disclosure filed by Malik on 12.23.08 was likely prompted by the ongoing investigation.

Malik failed to report a $26,600 contribution made by BarWest LLC in 2004 and was fined on two counts in 2006.