A Southern California lobbyist, Jaime Rojas, president of Rojas Public Affairs, is facing accusations of fabricating his success in securing taxpayer-funded contracts by exaggerating or fabricating claims of millions of dollars in state and federal funding. Multiple city and public agency officials have disputed his alleged involvement or the amounts he claimed to have secured.
Rojas presented himself to the Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District board in January 2025, stating his firm had secured more than $90 million in state and federal funding. The district subsequently awarded him a contract at $5,000 per month. He also claimed to have secured $5 million in federal funds for the city of Patterson for infrastructure and community service projects, according to documents reviewed by The California Post.
However, Fernando Ulloa, the City Manager of Patterson, stated he had never heard of Rojas and had no record of him or any communications with him. Officials from five other cities and public agencies also told The California Post that Rojas had either never worked with them, disputed the amounts he claimed to have delivered, or asserted he exaggerated his role.
In a proposal to the Orange County Cemetery District, Rojas claimed to have helped the city of Bishop secure $1.25 million in federal funding for a bridge upgrade. Bishop City Administrator Pam Foster stated that the city had no knowledge of such funding or Rojas's involvement. She added that Bishop is paying Rojas approximately $2,500 per month but he has yet to secure any state or federal funding for the city. Rojas later acknowledged that the project was misidentified and that his firm had worked on a $1.6 million federal funding request for public-safety equipment, which was reduced and ultimately not enacted.
Similarly, Rojas claimed credit for $1.25 million in federal funding for the San Miguel Fire District, including $1 million for a new fire station and $250,000 for a fire engine. Rojas admitted that neither amount was ultimately enacted or received by the district. San Miguel Fire Chief Andy Lawler told The Post, "This is the first we’re hearing about it."
Rojas also claimed to have secured $2.4 million in state funding for park restoration for the Hesperia Recreation and Park District. Hesperia board member Kelly Gregg said she was unaware of Rojas securing any funding for the district. Rojas's promotional materials also claimed his firm secured $250,000 in federal funding for community initiatives and infrastructure in the city of South Gate. Giselle Hernandez, community engagement manager for South Gate, stated, "This is the first time we’ve heard his name, honestly."
Regarding a claim of $3 million in federal earmarks for water pumps and pipes at the Monte Vista Water District, Kelley Donaldson, a community affairs manager, said Rojas did not secure $3 million. She clarified that the district had received two earmarks totaling $2 million, the first of which predated Rojas's consultancy and for which he did not assist in the application process. Donaldson described the pattern of Rojas overstating his role as "concerning."
Legal experts suggest that securing contracts under false pretenses could constitute fraud. Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, noted that while some exaggeration is common in business, Rojas's alleged actions could cross the line from puffery to fraud. Michael Trujillo, a political consultant, called such actions those of "a high-end grifter" and suggested that relevant agencies should investigate if fraud has occurred.
Rojas previously interned in the Clinton administration and has served as a former president of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is a board member for the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce.