Overview
- State election regulators confirmed an investigation into possible violations after reports showed pro‑Steyer videos on TikTok and Instagram often lacked on‑post labels saying they were sponsored.
- A formal complaint by creators Beatrice Gomberg and Kaitlyn Hennessy alleges the campaign did not tell hired influencers about disclosure duties and highlights dozens of posts without clear sponsorship notices.
- The Steyer campaign says it followed the law, points to payments listed in finance reports, and says it tells creators about the rules, calling the complaint baseless.
- Campaign filings show a $100,000 payment to Texas‑based influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina for strategic advice and surrogacy, while his many pro‑Steyer posts did not mention the payment.
- California’s 2023 law puts disclosure on the creators and gives limited enforcement power to the FPPC, as critics warn the coordinated posts can mimic grassroots support and a vendor pitch for $10 per post was later revised to $1,000 a month with disclosure language.