Audra Strickland,  Hannah-Beth Jackson,  Tony Strickland

Audra Strickland Watch: Chief of Staff Joel Angeles Placed on Leave

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Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff of California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R- Moorpark talking with a Ventura County Sheriff Officer during protest rally on June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff for California GOP Assemblywoman Audra Strickland has been placed on a one-month unpaid administrative leave according to a written statement.

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland placed a top aide on leave Thursday following his involvement earlier this week in altercations during a demonstration outside a fundraiser for her husband, state Senate candidate Tony Strickland.

Audra Strickland, R-Moorpark, announced she was placing Joel Angeles, her chief of staff, on “a one-month leave of absence without pay for what I view as a show of poor judgment,” according to a written statement issued by her office.

On Tuesday, Angeles took the day off from his job as her chief of staff job to join her husband’s campaign supporters outside the Hyatt Westlake Plaza hotel in Thousand Oaks. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared there Tuesday night to stump for Tony Strickland, who is locked in a critical battle for the 19th District Senate seat.

Flap was there and wrote this post after the altercation/protests and the fundraising event for Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s husband, Tony.

The entire Flap was and continues to be a “He Said, They Said” argument. Flap did not see the supposed “smack down” but did interview one of the female alleged victims. She did have scratches on her right arm which she said she received by being pushed into an adjoining hedge.

But, the hedge had sharp prongs, the sidewalk was filled with people and Flap was easily pushed into it and scratched his own arm.

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GOP and Democrat demonstrators line Westlake Blvd. Photo By Flap

Ventura County Sheriff officers interviewed all parties and since none of the parties would pursue prosecution or a citizen’s arrest, no arrests were made.

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Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff of California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R- Moorpark being interviewed by Ventura County Sheriff officers during protest rally on June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

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Joel Angeles, Democrat protesters and the “HEDGE.” Photo By Flap

Both groups used poor judgment in this altercation. But what is clear is that someone was looking for a fight to embarass Tony Strickland who was inside with Mitt Romney raising money for his California State Senate campaign. Wasn’t that the point of the demonstrations?

How do you spell set-up?

Joel Angeles used “poor judgment” being involved with the Democrat protesters – at all. He should have walked away. Angeles is now being punished.

A lesson for everyone: Let the politicians “DUKE IT OUT” in debates on the issues and leave the physical confrontations out of the campaign.

Previous:

Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blowing Smoke Over Tobacco Company Contributions

Tony Strickland Watch: Taking it to the Streets – Politics That Is

Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 3

Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 2

Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue?


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12 Comments

  • Leroy Haines

    I was there and just trying to get to the hotel by the only ADA route from the public way. I was block and elbowed a number of times by that person.

  • Flap

    There is no ADA route to the hotel from the sidewalk unless you walk south which was away from the demonstration. The sidewalk ends at the north driveway and you would have to walk into traffic or on the grass/landscaping.

    So, sorry I doubt your story.

  • jurnei

    Clearly Flap has selective memory despite his walking around with a tape recorder speaking with folks. I did observe his interviewing during the event. I am also looking in disbelief at his reporting in this article. Numerous folks spoke about alcohol on Angeles breathe. Numerous folks also spoke about Angeles calling Masry a terrorist (this appears to come from the Strickland campaign). Didn’t they try to use this before?

    Finally, I can’t imagine why Joel Angeles, chief of staff for Audra Strickland would involve himself in such a personally humiliating way and then stand there with a smile on his face. This can clearly be seen in the picture

    Appears Flap’s dental drill may have slipped and hit his brain.

    Merely providing Joel Angeles with a one month time out instead of outright firing him demonstrates the Strickland’s lack of principles with respect to community violence and inappropriate racial attacks.

    jurneis last blog post..Big Oil Companies Gain No Bid Contracts in Iraq

  • Flap

    @ Jurnei

    >Numerous folks spoke about alcohol on Angeles breathe

    I interviewed Angeles and smelled no alcohol or witnessed any behavior that would lead me to believe he was under the influence of alcohol.

    I interviewed Ferial Masry and she told me someone called her a terrorist although she could not identify the culprit but “thought” it was Angeles. She left and did not pursue the matter.

    In most of the photos of Angeles I would not say he had a smile on his face. Check them all out at my Flick photostream.

    >Appears Flap’s dental drill may have slipped and hit his brain.

    Watch the name calling and read my comment’s policy in the right sidebar please.

    The one month off is a wrist slap, I agree. Angeles should not have been there – poor judgment.

  • Floridita

    If you can’t beat them, join them!

    Altercations and protests are brought about a lot of things and it can get worse as the case above. Always use diplomacy whenever you can.