Del Mar, a coastal Southern California city, has requested that the San Diego County district attorney and U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon investigate state Attorney General Rob Bonta and businessman Mark Arabo. The request stems from a long-standing dispute over a proposed housing development and allegations of campaign contributions potentially influencing the attorney general's actions.
The city council's vote to seek the investigation was reportedly prompted by a resident's letter highlighting concerns about potential conflicts of interest surrounding the Seaside Ridge housing project. The proposed 259-unit development has faced repeated rejection from the Del Mar City Council since its initial proposal in 2022, with the city citing missing application materials. The developer, Carol Lazier, contends these materials are unnecessary. The city and the developer are currently engaged in a legal battle over the project.
Bonta has intervened in the housing dispute, directing Del Mar in December to provide Lazier with a straightforward approval process and later alleging in March that the city was violating state housing law. The resident's letter pointed to campaign contributions made by real estate agent Brian Guiltinan, who is associated with Seaside Ridge, to Bonta's re-election campaign. Guiltinan reportedly donated $18,200 in four separate contributions in June 2024.
"The issue is not whether misconduct occurred," the resident wrote, according to Voice of San Diego. "The issue is whether the public can have confidence that decisions regarding Seaside Ridge have been made free of undisclosed influence and without preferential access."
Concerns have also been raised about Mark Arabo's role. Arabo, who sits on the board of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, has opposed an affordable housing project at the fairgrounds while simultaneously expressing support for the Seaside Ridge project at board meetings. City officials noted that Arabo, who also donated $18,200 to Bonta, hired Guiltinan as his real estate agent when purchasing a home in 2024. According to city officials, the Seaside Ridge project could benefit if the fairgrounds' affordable housing plan does not materialize as timely developed.
Arabo has denied the allegations, stating in a letter to the city that he was unaware of Guiltinan's connection to Seaside Ridge and had never discussed the project privately. He also asserted he has "zero interest" in the project's outcome.
Legal representatives for Seaside Ridge criticized the resident's letter, calling the city's attempt to use its authority to threaten the project and state officials based on unsubstantiated claims "outrageous." They argued that merely having relationships or communicating with public officials should not be viewed as suspicious.
California Post reached out to Bonta's office for comment. A city official clarified to Voice of San Diego that Del Mar is not accusing anyone of wrongdoing but is referring a resident's complaint to the appropriate authorities. It remains unclear whether the county District Attorney's office or the U.S. Attorney's office will pursue the matter. The Post also contacted both offices for comment regarding Del Mar's request.