Donation to Clovis councilman questioned

CLOVIS, Calif. — A Clovis city councilman received a $2,900 donation to his state Assembly campaign from a real estate firm just one day after he voted in favor of its development project.

The Fresno Bee reports that critics say the timing makes it appear that the company was rewarding Councilman Bob Whalen for his vote.

Paynter Realty & Investment gave Whalen’s campaign the donation after he cast a key vote to approve an environmental review for a controversial Wal-Mart Supercenter project. A pending lawsuit alleges that Clovis violated state environmental law in approving the center.

Whalen acknowledges the timing of the gift was bad, but insists it has nothing to do with his vote. He says he has consistently supported the development.

David Paynter, the head of Paynter Realty, says he’s backed Whalen’s campaign for years.