Measure B contributor’s name not on mailer

A campaign flier the City Hall in the Park political campaign mailed to Newport Beach voters in recent weeks does not disclose the major source of the group’s funding.

Under state law, political campaigns are required to state the names of major contributors on their campaign literature who donate $50,000 or more, according to the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

The flier, which features glossy color photographs of the beach and other Newport Beach landmarks, bears the statement “Paid for by Newport Beach City Hall in the Park Committee, Yes on Measure B.” It does not include, however, the name of retired Newport Beach businessman Jack Croul, who has donated more than $500,000 to the campaign.

Croul made another $100,000 donation to the City Hall in the Park campaign Wednesday, campaign disclosure records show, bringing his total contribution to more than $600,000.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yes on Measure B campaign didn’t want voters to know that so much money is coming from one person because they might wonder why he is so interested in having the measure pass,” said Scott Hart, a campaign consultant for Newporters Vote No on B. His group opposes Measure B, a ballot measure on where the next city hall will be built.

“It’s a technicality, and we’ll look into it,” City Hall in the Park supporter Ron Hendrickson said.

“We have a staff that is very conversant with the law, and we trust they are complying with the law.”

Hendrickson said the group has disclosed Croul’s funding on subsequent mailers.

Members of the political group Newporters Vote No on B said they have struggled to compete with City Hall in the Park in the face of Croul’s large donations to the group.

“We’ve been totally open about Jack Croul’s participation in this forever,” said lead City Hall in the Park proponent Bill Ficker.

Measure B would amend the city charter to require the next city hall to be built on a piece of city-owned land next to the central library on Avocado Avenue.

Newporters Vote No on B has raised about $150,000, most of it from heiress Audrey Steele Burnand, compared to City Hall in the Park’s $570,000, which is mostly Croul’s money.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.