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Janz, Dyer Call for Probe Into Spoof Campaign Site
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
October 29, 2019

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A digital site spoofing Andrew Janz’s mayoral campaign that redirected visitors to a fundraising portal for rival candidate Jerry Dyer was criticized by both campaigns Monday afternoon.
Shortly after the Dyer campaign denounced the site, the spoof site’s link to Dyer’s fundraising portal changed. Instead, it linked to a YouTube video featuring pop singer Rick Astley.


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“In 2017, Assembly Bill 1104 was signed into law and makes criminal this type of cyber fraud.” — Andrew Janz for Mayor campaign
For the uninitiated, the redirection to that video is known as “Rickrolling” and is an internet legend.
“In 2017, Assembly Bill 1104 was signed into law and makes criminal this type of cyber fraud,” the Janz campaign said in a statement.
Screen capture of website purporting to represent the campaign of mayoral candidate Andrew Janz.

AG Investigation Sought

The Janz campaign said it had asked the state Attorney General’s Office to investigate those responsible for the deceptive website. In addition, the campaign said it planned to file a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission.
“The California Political Cyberfraud Abatement Act was created to protect the integrity of our elections in the aftermath of Russian interference in our elections in 2016. It’s disappointing to learn that there are still people out there who are using the Trump playbook to mislead voters in order to win an election. We’re calling on Jerry Dyer to condemn the fake website and those behind it,” the Janz campaign said.

Dyer Campaign Condemns ‘Attempt to Deceive Voters’

Less than 90 minutes later, the Dyer campaign issued a statement denouncing the website.

“Using false information to deceive voters is nothing short of wrong. … This is why we are supportive of a complete investigation to determine who is behind this type of negative campaigning.” — Jerry Dyer for Mayor campaign
“We strongly condemn this attempt to deceive the voters and provoke negative attacks and hostility between both campaigns,” the Dyer camp said. “Using false information to deceive voters is nothing short of wrong, and California laws on deceptive campaign practices are clear. This is why we are supportive of a complete investigation to determine who is behind this type of negative campaigning.”
In their first mayoral forum on Oct. 19 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Dyer and Janz aggressively pointed out their differences on the issues but didn’t engage in personal attacks.
They are running to succeed Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, who announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek a second term.

Watch: Who Will Be Fresno’s Next Mayor?

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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