Malibu, CA — The Malibu City Council election has taken a dramatic turn as Bruce Silverstein, a current council member known for his opposition to unchecked development, has become the target of a smear campaign tied back to Nathan Jones via his cell phone number. Jones is the president of the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu Board of Directors, and a local builder associated with developers.
The campaign is being sent via text message to Malibu voters.
Adding to the controversy, Jones’ business partner is David Charvet, the former Baywatch star who has recently been the subject of criminal allegations.Charvet, who co-owns Jones Builders Group with Jones, has recently been in the news for more than just his real estate ventures. In April 2023, Charvet was named a suspect in a criminal threats investigation, as reported by TMZ. Though no charges were filed, the allegations raised concerns about Charvet’s personal conduct, adding fuel to the fire of his involvement in the Malibu election controversy.
Boys and Girls Club Contacted for Comment
Jones, in addition to his role in the construction industry, leads the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu as President of the Board of Directors, an organization that benefits from the use of taxpayer-owned land for its annual Chili Cook-off. The club has been contacted to clarify whether they endorse or are aware of Jones’ participation in the smear campaign. The organization’s silence thus far has raised questions about its position, particularly given the public resources it receives for events.
Campaign Tied to Developer Interests
Nathan Jones, alongside Charvet, has strong ties to Malibu’s development community. Their company, Jones Builders Group, specializes in luxury homes, making Silverstein’s anti-development stance a significant obstacle to their business interests. This alignment of goals has brought their involvement in the smear campaign under scrutiny, with some residents questioning whether they are leveraging their influence for personal gain.
Silverstein’s opposition to large-scale development has made him a target for powerful developers seeking to push through projects that would reshape Malibu’s landscape. The campaign has included negative mailers and social media posts accusing Silverstein of being an obstacle to progress, despite his strong track record on environmental protection and community safety.
Grisanti’s Role in the Controversy
Paul Grisanti, a current council member and Silverstein’s political rival, has benefited from the efforts of Jones and Charvet. Grisanti’s pro-development stance aligns closely with the interests of real estate and construction groups, though there is no direct evidence linking him to the smear campaign. However, Grisanti’s real estate background and long-standing ties to developers raise questions about the motivations behind the attacks on Silverstein.
A Divisive Election for Malibu’s Future
As the election nears, voters are faced with a choice between candidates who represent opposing visions for Malibu’s future: rapid development versus a slower, more environmentally conscious approach. With Jones and Charvet’s involvement and the criminal allegations against Charvet looming, the election has become a battleground for more than just city policies—it is now about ethics, transparency, and the influence of money in local politics.
Bruce Silverstein has also contacted Kasey Earnest the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu saying “I am writing to bring to your attention information I received late last night that I believe you will find to be disturbing, and to give you an opportunity to get in front of it.” At the time of this article no response has been received.
Sources also reveal the Malibu Times will be publishing an attack ad against Silverstein this week.
Malibu Daily News reached out to Jones for a comment. At press time Jones has not responded.
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