Nora Vargas
$20,582,000
total money tracked
Connected Interests
Exodus Recovery Inc.
$9,300,000
Exodus Recovery awarded single-source contract for Tri-City Psychiatric Health Facility ($9.3M/yr). Board voted unanimously. Vargas was Board Chair and voted yes. Contract in behavioral health — one of Vargas LLC stated service areas.
Sharp HealthCare
$9,100,000
Sharp HealthCare EmPATH crisis stabilization unit at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center — in Vargas District 1. $2.9M state grant + $9.1M/yr operating. Voted after Vargas resignation announcement but contract negotiations occurred during her tenure as Board Chair. Healthcare + District 1 location overlap with Vargas LLC service areas.
Realtors Relief Foundation
$1,160,000
Vargas appeared at SDAR press conference to co-announce $1.16M Realtors Relief Foundation grants for flood victims. Realtors invited her to share grant info. Under FPPC rules, official appearing to co-announce charitable donations could trigger behested payment reporting if she coordinated or was featured in the solicitation.
Invicta Security CA Corp
$830,000
SD County awarded Invicta Security (dba Allstate Security) a contract for Vargas personal security without apparent competitive bidding or Board of Supervisors approval. County Policy A-87 requires Board approval for contracts over $100K; this contract started at $130K and grew to $41K+/month. No Board agenda item found in 2023 or 2024 Legistar records. Contract extended Dec 10, 2024 (also without Board vote) through June 2025. Only named county official: Communications Dir. Tammy Glenn. Estimated total: $620K-$830K.
Invicta Security CA Corp
$130,000
San Diego County hired Invicta Security (dba Allstate Security) in 2023 for private security detail for Board Chair Vargas. Initial contract $130,000. Monthly cost reached $41,500+ by July 2024 (3 agents, SUV rental, fuel). Contract extended Dec 10, 2024 (10 days before resignation announcement) through June 2025. Vargas left office Jan 6, 2025 — security ended same day (confirmed by inewsource). Total estimated cost: $620K-$830K over ~18 months. For comparison: Fletcher had $1.9M/18mo with Pinkerton (documented threats). Sheriff confirmed NO known threats to Vargas.
Grassroots Resources
$45,000
Nora Vargas 2020 campaign paid Grassroots Resources (Jesus Cardenas firm) $40,556.09 for consulting plus $4,750 to TMC Direct. Campaign ended with $66K debt including ~$17K still owed through 2021.
Grassroots Resources
$17,000
Vargas 2020 campaign owed ~$17K+ to Grassroots Resources through end of 2021. Original debt was $45K+ ($40,556.09 consulting + $4,750 TMC Direct). Campaign paid $10K in 2021. Whether remaining debt was paid, forgiven, or converted is unresolved — Cal-Access filings JS-rendered. If forgiven, it would be an unreported in-kind contribution. Grassroots suspended by Franchise Tax Board since Jan 2022. PPP fraud proceeds were used to pay campaign debts through TMC Direct — the same vendor owed by Vargas campaign. Cardenas later pled guilty to 2 felonies.
Sempra Energy
In the 2020 D1 supervisor race, Sempra Energy and the California State Association of Electrical Workers spent heavily via independent expenditures to SUPPORT Ben Hueso (Vargas opponent). Vargas received no significant outside financial support. This is a notable negative finding: unlike city council races where developer/utility money flows to progressive candidates, Vargas won in 2020 WITHOUT developer or utility backing. The D1 race saw $850K in total independent spending, mostly against Vargas.
Building Industry Association
In the 2025 D1 special election to replace Nora Vargas, the Building Industry Association of San Diego County, SD Regional Chamber of Commerce, real estate interests, and Lincoln Club backed Republican John McCann ($1M raised). Developers David Malcolm ($100K+) and Tom Sudberry also donated to non-progressive candidates. Democrat Paloma Aguirre (Vargas successor) was backed by labor unions ($800K). This pattern confirms that the developer network active in SD city council races also targets county supervisor races — but has consistently backed opponents of the progressive D1 seat holder (Vargas and her successor Aguirre).
Nora Vargas for County Supervisor 2020
Nora Vargas controlled the "Nora Vargas for County Supervisor 2020" campaign committee. Subject of FPPC Case 2023-00458 (warning letter). Raised ~$155,856 first half 2019. Ended with $66K debt including ~$45K owed to Grassroots Resources (Jesus Cardenas firm).
Nora Vargas For County Supervisor 2024
Nora Vargas controlled the "Nora Vargas For County Supervisor 2024" reelection committee. Terminated Feb 1, 2025 after she resigned. Collected ~$41K since July 2024. Spent >$120K including election victory and holiday celebrations.
San Diego Foundation
Vargas as Board Chair co-created and publicly promoted SD Foundation Flood Response Fund. County press releases directed donations to the named fund. Multiple corporate donors gave $25K-$100K each. No Form 803 behested payment reports filed by any county supervisor since 2022 per SD Union-Tribune.
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Nora Vargas served on the SANDAG Board of Directors throughout her tenure as County Supervisor D1 (2021-2025). Progression: Transportation Committee Chair (2021-2022), Board Vice Chair, then Board Chair (2023-2024, elected Jan 13, 2023). As SANDAG Chair, she oversaw a ~$1.5B budget including toll road operations (SR-125, I-15), major infrastructure projects (Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, Del Mar Bluffs), and transit planning. Was Chair during the ETAN tolling scandal, $28M no-bid Deloitte contract, and DOJ investigation into SANDAG business practices.
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD)
Nora Vargas served as a member of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) board during her tenure as County Supervisor. SANDAG press release (Jan 2023) identifies her as "a member of the Air Pollution Control District." In her 2024 State of the County address, Vargas highlighted APCD actions she supported: requirements protecting 1,629 residences, 1 park, and 59 businesses from health risks including carcinogens, plus a zero-emission landscaping equipment program. APCD oversees air quality permits and emissions regulation in SD County — jurisdiction overlapping with energy/utility interests.
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Nora Vargas to serve on the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Identified in SANDAG press release (Jan 2023). CARB sets statewide emissions standards, oversees the cap-and-trade program, regulates vehicle emissions, and enforces air quality rules. This appointment gave Vargas influence over state-level environmental regulation affecting energy companies, manufacturers, and transportation companies operating in California — alongside her county-level APCD role and SANDAG transportation authority.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health behavioral health hub partnership approved unanimously by Board. Vargas was Board Chair. UCSD Health CEO Patty Maysent specifically thanked Vargas by name. Partnership involves 30 psychiatric beds at East Campus Medical Center. Healthcare is one of Vargas LLC stated service areas.
Denice Garcia
Nora Vargas hired Denice Garcia as Chief of Staff at $205K/year (Jan 2021 - Feb 2024). When Garcia left, Vargas had already created the Chief Binational Affairs Officer position (proposed Aug 2023, approved 4-0) specifically matching Garcia's skill set. Position was NOT publicly advertised — county waived recruitment, stating "If an individual has expertise for the position, recruitment may be waived." Garcia took a pay cut to $187K/year but received a county-wide position insulated from political turnover. This is a classic patronage pattern: elected official creates a bespoke position for their chief of staff, bypassing competitive hiring.
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Nora Vargas served as SANDAG Board Chair 2023-2024. During her chairmanship, SANDAG awarded $74M+ in no-bid contracts (2022-2023 audit period), approved the $28M Deloitte/A-to-Be sole-source contract (Jan 2024), and was identified by auditors as presiding over an environment of potential favoritism and lax contracting. The SANDAG annual budget was $1.3B.
Paul Worlie
Paul Worlie (Nathan Fletcher's former Chief of Staff) was central figure in the CAO selection process that Michael Vu alleges was corrupted by Vargas and Lawson-Remer. Per Vu lawsuit, Lawson-Remer proposed Worlie as asst. CAO in exchange for supporting Vu as CAO — both Vu and CAO Robbins-Meyer rejected. Worlie then became Senior Advisor to CAO. After Vargas resigned and Paloma Aguirre won D1 special election (Jul 2025), Worlie became Aguirre's Chief of Staff — returning to the exact same D1 seat. Pattern: Fletcher COS -> sought county admin position -> landed back in D1 COS role. Worlie is married to Nancy Worlie, KPBS chief content officer.
Jeff Liu
Jeff Liu was offered Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs position in Vargas office at $95K/year (down from $158K at March for Our Lives) by Chief of Staff Denice Garcia on Sep 11, 2023. Offer rescinded Sep 26, 2023. Liu filed racial discrimination lawsuit Dec 12, 2023 alleging Garcia used anti-Asian slurs during phone calls and Vargas was aware. Liu claims Garcia said "fucking Asians and yellow people, always so fucking slow, these chinks" and in another call "We have a new yellow person possibly joining shortly. A chink, though he is talented." County denied claims, called Liu's conduct "unprofessional." Garcia left as COS 5 months later for CBAO position.
Michael Vu
Michael Vu (county Registrar of Voters -> asst. CAO 2021) alleges Vargas blocked his path to CAO. Per Vu lawsuit: (1) Late 2022/early 2023, Vargas told CAO Robbins-Meyer "we need a person of color" and when told Vu is Asian, said "that doesn't count, they have opportunities and education. We need a Hispanic or Black." (2) Robbins-Meyer was "flabbergasted" by the statement. (3) Vargas again refused support when Robbins-Meyer raised Vu succession in 2023. (4) After Ebony Shelton appointed CAO Jun 2024, Vu was demoted to deputy CAO (elections only) with $85K pay cut and 90-day termination timeline. (5) Vu resigned Oct 2024, filed $5M lawsuit Apr 2025 adding defamation. Vargas denies all allegations.
Rudy Vargas
Rudy Vargas (Director of Strategic Initiatives at Price Philanthropies) served on advisory council for SD Foundation Flood Response Fund, which the county co-created and Nora Vargas promoted. Same surname — possible family connection unconfirmed. If related, the $100K Price Philanthropies donation gains additional significance.
SEIU LOCAL 221 PAC - SCC
Vargas voted (as part of Board of Supervisors) to approve 3-year SEIU Local 221 county employee labor contract. First reading June 14, 2022; second reading June 28, 2022. SEIU 221 PAC endorsed Vargas in 2020 and 2024. The contract was negotiated through standard collective bargaining and approved by all supervisors — this is routine county governance. However, it represents the vote-for-endorser pattern: SEIU endorsed Vargas, Vargas voted on SEIU contracts.
SEIU LOCAL 221 PAC - SCC
SEIU Local 221 publicly criticized Board Chair Vargas over CAO selection process. May 1, 2024: SEIU urged public to "tell Supervisors: selecting most powerful unelected position shouldn't be done in secret." May 15, 2024: SEIU President Crystal Irving released video covering "disappointing actions of Chairwoman Nora Vargas," struggles with "keeping elected officials accountable," and "the unique responsibility of the Labor movement to challenge institutional racism." This criticism from Vargas's own endorser aligns with the Michael Vu lawsuit alleging Vargas made racially discriminatory statements about the CAO succession. Despite this public criticism, SEIU 221 did NOT rescind its endorsement for Vargas's 2024 reelection.
Invicta Security CA Corp
Systemic A-87 procurement gap: Invicta/Allstate Security held simultaneous no-bid contracts with both SD City ($21.5M, approved July 2025) and SD County (Vargas personal security, $620K-$830K). City officials acknowledged County Policy A-87 was "a poor model" for procurement standards. No Grand Jury or County Auditor report has been identified addressing supervisor personal security procurement. Combined with Fletcher/Pinkerton ($1.9M), total taxpayer cost for two supervisors' personal security: $2.5M-$2.7M over 3 years, all without competitive bidding or Board votes despite A-87 requiring Board approval for contracts over $100K.
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
Vargas chaired SANDAG Executive Committee 2022-2024. EC agendas show zero ETAN/toll items despite executives knowing of $8M+ ETAN failure since June 2022. Consistent with auditor finding that info was withheld from board — EC was not used as channel for toll oversight.
Helen Robbins-Meyer
Helen Robbins-Meyer (retired CAO) filed court declaration in Vu v. County confirming: (1) She emailed County Counsel Silva with subject "inappropriate interference" to report Lawson-Remer quid pro quo proposal. (2) She was "reporting an inappropriate and unethical activity" not seeking legal advice. (3) She gave Vu a copy the next day. (4) Judge Kirvin tentative ruling denied county protective order over the email. This is a former CAO formally going on record against the county and supervisors she previously served — extraordinary move that strengthens Vu discrimination/retaliation claims against Vargas.
Crystal Irving
SEIU 221 President Crystal Irving publicly criticized Vargas at Ebony Shelton CAO appointment hearing (June 4, 2024). Irving stated: "for what should be a moment marked by joy and hope, I wouldn't be true to myself or our members if I do not convey the disappointment I had about the shadow this hiring process casts on this historic moment." SEIU member Drucilla Willis added the process was "stressful and rather disturbing for the lack of transparency." Labor unions accused Vargas specifically of conducting decision-making behind closed doors and unfairly excluding Cindy Chavez. This direct criticism from SEIU leadership — Vargas's own endorser — corroborates the Vu lawsuit narrative of a non-transparent, politically manipulated CAO selection.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
SDG&E has an ongoing franchise agreement with the County of San Diego for unincorporated areas, collecting 1.1% electric franchise fees paid to the county. This constitutes an active "proceeding" under FPPC Reg 18424(b) before Vargas's agency at the time SDG&E donated $25K to the flood fund Vargas solicited in January 2024.
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
SDG&E has an ongoing MOU with the County for firefighting helicopter/helitanker services. County pays up to $150K/year. Partnership since 2010, expanded April 2022 with unanimous Board vote adding 2 SDG&E helicopters. Second active "proceeding" under FPPC Reg 18424(b) before the Board when SDG&E donated $25K to the flood fund Vargas solicited in January 2024.
Invicta Security CA Corp
Comprehensive review of all 29 Board of Supervisors 2023 meetings via Legistar API confirms the $620K-$830K Invicta/Allstate security contract for Vargas personal protection was never authorized in either open or closed session. Every 2023 closed session was reviewed — none referenced security services, personal protection, or Invicta/Allstate. The only security-related Board item was a standard Sheriff revenue agreement with Liberty Health Services (Sep 12, Matter 6522). Combined with evidence that sheriff said no known active threats existed, this contract appears to have been authorized entirely by staff/CAO without Board knowledge or approval, potentially violating County Policy A-87 competitive bidding requirements for contracts of this size.
Nora Vargas
Pattern of Board absences during LLC period (Jul-Dec 2024): Absent Sep 24 for $32M UCSD behavioral health hub vote. Absent Oct 8 for gun ordinance vote (at Padres game despite claiming medical appointment). Zero recusals filed despite LLC listing healthcare/policy/government relations consulting. No direct conflict of interest proven — LLC clients remain undisclosed.
Henry Foster III
County Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas endorsed Henry Foster III for D4 2024 special election
Nora Vargas LLC
Vargas registered Nora Vargas LLC on July 29, 2024, collecting $1,001-$10,000 in consulting fees while serving as County Supervisor and campaigning for reelection. Filed on Form 700.
Kelly Martinez
Public policy disagreement and record-keeping dispute. Vargas (BOS Chair) sponsored the Dec 10 2024 sanctuary ordinance (3-1, Vargas+Lawson-Remer+Montgomery Steppe yes); Martinez announced same-day she would not adopt it as binding department policy. Days after the vote, Vargas resigned despite winning re-election, citing threats to her safety; the Times of San Diego op-ed (Mar 15 2025) reports "Martinez's office maintains they have no record of Vargas reporting threats against her" — a public record-keeping dispute between the resigning Chair and the Sheriff's Department over whether threat reports were made.
San Diego County Democratic Party
San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed Nora Vargas for 2020 County Supervisor District 1. Also endorsed for 2024 reelection.
UFCW Local 135
UFCW Local 135 endorsed Nora Vargas for 2024 County Supervisor reelection.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest
Nora Vargas served as Vice President of Community and Government Relations at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest before entering elected office. She oversaw the 501(c)(4) Action Fund and 527 PAC. She was the first Latina VP at Planned Parenthood (since 2001). This is relevant because PPPSW PAC was an active political spender in SD races.
SEIU LOCAL 221 PAC - SCC
SEIU Local 221 PAC endorsed Nora Vargas for County Supervisor D1 in both 2020 and 2024 races. SEIU Local 221 represents county employees. As supervisor, Vargas voted on county budgets and labor matters affecting SEIU-represented workers. Crystal Irving, SEIU 221 president, publicly praised Vargas.
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
Nora Vargas filed ZERO behested payment reports (Form 803) during her entire tenure as County Supervisor (Jan 2021 - Dec 2024), despite overseeing an $8.5B annual budget, directing millions in community grants to nonprofits, and interacting with developers, labor unions, and corporations who donated to causes she supported. County clerk of the board confirmed no supervisor filed behested payments since 2022. This stands in contrast to Mayor Todd Gloria who was fined $10,500 for failing to report behested payments, and Assessor Jordan Marks who filed 7 reports totaling $1.2M.
Nora Vargas
Nora Vargas voted (as part of unanimous board vote) on June 13, 2023 to end the requirement that community grants (Community Enhancement and Neighborhood Reinvestment programs, $10M+/year) be approved in public board meetings. After this change, $15M+ was dispensed without public approval. Vargas and Lawson-Remer subsequently gave $35K to the San Diego Bowl Game Association (Holiday Bowl entity) which was delinquent with state regulators. The lack of public oversight removes a key transparency mechanism for tracking potential behested payments.
Investigations
San Diego County Board of Supervisors: A Primer Published
Structural primer for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Explains the five-district geographic structure under CA Government Code §25000 et seq, the 3-of-5 majority on an $8-billion budget, the Board's hire/fire power over the Chief Administrative Officer, and the two-term limit added by county voters in 2010 (Measure B).
The Trolley Question, Part 2: Paying to Say No Published
Two SANDAG board members vote against the trolley extension. One has $14,100 in donations from her board's vendors. One has zero. The bought chair and the unbought suburban mayor both keep the trolley off the beach. The board geometry is the rot — and it is older than any check.
The Empty Drawer: How San Diego County Supervisors Stopped Filing and Stopped Watching Published
The Architecture of Not Knowing: Why the Vargas Files Reopened Themselves Published
On Saturday The Library Is Closed: How San Diego Chose The Budget Crisis Published
The Supervisors Published
Eight billion dollars. Five seats. The donors know your supervisor's name.
The Gloria Machine Published
The machine changes party but not behavior: the same lobbyists and developers, now operating through Democratic officeholders.
The Hole in the Form: How California Law Hides the Clients Who Pay Elected Officials Published
Phantom Threats: The $620,000 Security Detail That No One Approved and No Agency Justified Published