Recall Raul Valdivia- Fullerton Rangers Board of Directors President
Since at least 2012, the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club has been overseen by Club President, Raul Valdivia. Under his watch, the Fullerton Rangers have been involved in an embezzlement scandal, had nearly $200,000 stolen from the organization, have not kept current with city requirements, and illegally operated a profitable business. As more details emerge, it seems as though many parents are losing faith in the people that govern the organization.
By signing this petition, the members of the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club recognize the need to overhaul the Fullerton Rangers Board of Directors and ultimately desire to see to it that Raul Valdivia step down/resign immediately as acting Club President. In addition to supporting a recall of Raul Validivia, signing this petition also should act as a vote of no-confidence for Raul Valdivia and others that serve on the Board.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE…
In a public meeting held on January 27, 2016, members of the Board stated that they would rewriting the By-laws and making them current. This is frightening as this new set of by-laws are being written by the very people that members of the organization are losing confidence in. The Board has already shown it has an inherent interest in appointing certain people to board positions, as was evidenced during introductions at the public meeting. At least two people were appointed to the Board, by the Board, within the past 90 days.
A FOR-PROFIT DISGUISED AS A NON-PROFIT
At this same meeting it was stated by some Board members that they were aware that using a for-profit LLC, named Rangers Academy, LLC, was illegal. Yet despite knowing this, the LLC is still active and continues to do business. A search on California’s Secretary of State website shows that the LLC is active as of February 1, 2016 and that it is registered at a location in Orange, CA.
RANGERS ACADEMY LLC
Entity Number:
entitiy number 201209410306
Date Filed: 03/14/2012
Status: ACTIVE
Jurisdiction:
CALIFORNIA
Entity Address:
1502 E CHESTNUT AVE
Entity City, State, Zip:
ORANGE CA 92867
Agent for Service of Process:
LEGALZOOM.COM, INC. (C2967349)
A separate search for the same LLC shows that Club President, Raul Valdivia, is quite possibly the President of aforementioned LLC. http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Raul-Valdivia/1857981561
Raul Valdivia | Rangers Academy LLC | ZoomInfo.com
www.zoominfo.com/p/Raul-Valdivia/1857981561
View Raul Valdivia’s business profile as President at Rangers Academy LLC and see work history, affiliations and more.
Rangers Academy LLC
369 S. Acacia Ave.
Fullerton , California 92831
United States
Raul Valdivia is aware that operating a for-profit LLC is illegal when used in conjunction with a non-profit organization like the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club. However, by leaving the LLC open and in good-standing with the State of California, it seems as though he is putting his personal interest ahead of the club’s. For this reason alone, he should be recalled and resign as Club President.
CITY REQUIREMENTS…
At a City Council meeting on October 3, 2012, Raul Valdivia came up against other local soccer clubs that were looking to use fields and facilities that were maintained by the City of Fullerton. Raul Valdivia countered that the Blue Stars, A.C. Fullerton, and soccer league known as Orange County Community Youth Soccer League (OCCYSL) should not be able to use Fullerton fields, specifically Richman Park, citing that the organizations did not meet City of Fullerton minimum standards. These standards included residential requirements that 80% members live in Fullerton and that the clubs were not non-profit organizations.
From that October 3, 2012 meeting, as cited on FullertonFactCheck.comFresh Faces Protest at City Council Meeting, by Jennifer Karmarkar;Fullerton Rangers board member Raul Valdivia countered that OCCYSL does not meet requirements to be a partner group with the city, including being recreational based, being non-profit and having 80 percent of its members reside in Fullerton.
“By their own admission, they have less than 40 percent residents,” he argued. http://fullertonfactcheck.com/fresh-faces-protest-at-city-council-meeting/
More recently, in a letter from the City of Fullerton addressed to the Fullerton Rangers dated December 23, 2015, it is noted that among other issues, the Fullerton Rangers are below the 80% resident threshold. This is strikingly alarming as the recreation side is over 90%** resident rate. So to fall below the 80% threshold, the competitive side has go to be closer to 50%** residency. This may pose a problem for the city. We will find out after a scheduled meeting on February 2, 2016 between city officials and representatives from the Fullerton Rangers.
**When pressed for this information, current members of the Board of Directors will not give exact percentages.
Also, similar to the Blue Stars, A.C. Fullerton and OCCYSL, the Fullerton Rangers now admit to running a profitable LLC, another violation of the city’s requirements. The arguments that Raul Valdivia used to argue the other leagues desire to use Fullerton fields can now be used against him as well.
DO YOU SUPPORT THE RESIGNATION, RECALL AND VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE FOR RAUL VALDIVIA?
https://www.change.org/p/mayor-jennifer-fitzgerald-fullerton-rangers-parents-recall-raul-valdivia-fullerton-rangers-board-of-directors-president?recruiter=50009953&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=mob-xs-share_for_starters-custom_msg&fb_ref=Default
#1 by If you're really that good then we wouldn't be here on February 6, 2016 - 12:26 pm
Maybe “some of you” are just bitter because “your kids” we’re good enough to make the cut/team. So naturally (like those parents that believe in Participation medals) it’sthe club and board members fault.
Stop spending your time CLEANING HOUSE; and practice with your kid more… I’m sure your feelings would be different if you WERE on the team.
After all… This is all about the kids right???
#2 by Angie on February 7, 2016 - 6:46 am
You write like “Danny Boy”, “Reality Is”, aka the Fullerton Sheepleherder trying to sweep EVERYTHING under the rug.
You defend illegal activity; are you okay with the embezzlement too?
Yeah, you are all about the kids, right?
#3 by Reality Is..... on February 10, 2016 - 10:17 am
Wrong. Reality Is and DannyBoys is always the same person and never anyone else. Maybe there is more than one person that thinks the Barry/Joe Imb/Tony B establishment isn’t welcome in Fullerton and never will be? What a concept!
#4 by Anonymous on February 10, 2016 - 2:26 pm
‘Reality Is’ = sheepleherder
#5 by Fullerton Lover on February 10, 2016 - 3:31 pm
The KKK?
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/the-kelly-thomas-beating-and-fullerton-metal-jacket-where-it-all-started-6459904
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/the-fullerton-police-department-are-the-bullies-in-blue-6419937
#6 by anon on February 9, 2016 - 5:36 pm
#8 you can’t be serious! The Board of Directors didn’t notice $200k being stolen over 3 years (by an outsider I might add) and they set up a for profit entity to avoid all the rules governing a tax exempt entity yet used the guise of a tax exempt entity to gain benefits in the City and YOU have no problem with it because your kid is “good enough to be on the team”? My kids play rec and I am PISSED this went on and you should be too! It has nothing to do with what level you play at, it has to do with the fact that the entity now looks corrupt. And you don’t think the President used his position to put his kid on a team that perhaps he did not earn a spot on because he has the Director of Coaches in his pocket?? Give me a break. There are so many kids simply “paying to play” that the elite status of “club” has been lost. Buy a clue why don’t you?
#7 by Fullerton Lover on February 11, 2016 - 2:51 pm
…direct edict from the Queen whose children play for the Fullerton Strangers (mostly children who AREN”T from Fullerton!)
…I wonder if they are going to enforce the Parks and Recreation rule that says that these teams should be comprised of mostly children who reside in Fullerton?
Feb 10, 2016
City of Fullerton and Fullerton Rangers Collaborate to Resolve Field Use Issues
Following the recent guilty plea by Laura Zellerbach for embezzlement and money laundering felonies against the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club, the City of Fullerton and the Fullerton Rangers are working together to continue to allow over 2,100 youth participants to play soccer in Fullerton, while the City reviews the organization’s possible improper use of fields for its club branch. Concurrently, sweeping leadership and structural changes have been implemented by the Rangers addressing concerns of accountability and transparency.
Newly appointed and interim President Munish Bharadwaja stated: “I have mandated that the organization provides all necessary information to City staff ensuring full compliance with policies, including supplying required player information, following permit processes, and conforming with the City of Fullerton’s Parks and Recreation’s policies. I will be collaborating with players, families, coaches, managers, board members, and City staff to move forward as the region’s premiere soccer organization.”
Bharadwaja continued: “I’d also like to acknowledge former President Raul Valdivia and Vice President Raymundo Valdez for their years of service with the organization and display of leadership in stepping down, in order to provide an opportunity for fresh eyes to resolve current issues and to move the club forward,” he continued. “For over 50 years, the Fullerton Rangers have upheld a tradition of excellence, providing athletic and valuable life lessons that far surpass simply playing soccer, including teamwork, dealing with adversity, respecting others, and just as importantly, building self-esteem.”
“This immediate change in leadership is the Rangers’ first step in rebuilding trust and relationships within the community,” Mayor Jennifer Fitzgerald explained. “The Rangers are also doing a complete revision of their bylaws to ensure transparency to the board, parents, and community. The committees are also being restructured to include more parents, providing more opportunities for accountability and transparency within the organization. “
Mayor Fitzgerald continued, “As a mother with two young children who play with the organization, I appreciate that the Rangers have taken this situation seriously and acted so swiftly. Mr. Bharadwaja has an established, positive reputation in the community. Under his new leadership, an action plan has been outlined, with an initiative to move forward. The Rangers have displayed full cooperation in working with City staff, providing me great confidence that they are on the right path to resolution, which serves as a testament to their commitment to the Fullerton community.”
Fullerton Parks and Recreation Director Hugo Curiel stated: “The City is committed to working with the Fullerton Rangers to meet the City Council’s objectives of providing the community with access to fields for youth recreation. In doing so, we will ensure that the City’s public assets continue to be used in a proper manner.” He continued, “I have complete faith in Mr. Bharadwaja and his leadership as he immediately works to rectify these issues. The Rangers have a long-standing tradition of playing in Fullerton and we will continue to maintain our relationship, allowing children the ability to play soccer on our fields.”
Mr. Bharadwaja, a 20-year resident of Fullerton, is a public relations and public service professional, specializing in crisis management, leadership training, and organizational management with experience in both the public and private sector. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from University of California, Irvine, and was named President of the Fullerton Rangers by the Board of Directors at their February 4, 2016 meeting.
http://ci.fullerton.ca.us/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=2087&TargetID=1