Update as of Monday October 28th at 6pm:
Jerry Dyer’s campaign issued a statement condemning this fake website and stating that he looks forward to continued debate on Fresno’s critical issues. “Using false information to deceive voters is nothing short of wrong and California laws on deceptive campaign practices are clear,” the statement reads. “That is why we are supportive of a complete investigation to determine who is behind this type of negative campaigning.”
Meanwhile, the link on the fake campaign page that previously solicited donations for Dyer’s campaign has been changed to redirect to a Youtube video of the Rick Astley song “Never Gonna Give You Up” – an internet prank known as “Rickrolling.”
Original story:
Andrew Janz’s mayoral campaign asked the California Attorney General's office Monday afternoon to open an investigation into a website posing as an official Janz campaign website, according to a statement released by the Janz for Mayor campaign.
On Friday, the Janz campaign learned of Janz4Mayor.com. The website has a donation link that redirects users to former Police Chief and mayoral candidate Jerry Dyer’s fundraising website. The donation link says "your donations will go to a quality candidate that will care for you!"
“It’s disappointing to learn that there are still people out there who are using the Trump playbook to mislead voters in order to win an election,” the statement said. “We’re calling on Jerry Dyer to condemn the fake website and those behind it.”
According to the statement, the website, "is a surreptitious attempt by anonymous actors to attack Mr. Janz by falsely attributing to him controversial views that he does not hold." For instance, the website says Janz will provide a "comprehensive clean needle use program throughout all of FUSD beginning in elementary school ages."
The website also incorrectly identifies the campaign committee's address and phone number as the address and phone number for a local needle-exchange program.
The statement also said the Janz campaign will file a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission.
According to the statement, the website violates the California Political Cyberfraud Abatement Act. In 2017, Assembly Bill 1104 was signed into law making this type of cyberfraud criminal.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
