Nathan Jones, the now-former Board President of the Malibu Boys and Girls Club, has resigned following allegations that he knowingly distributed a smear campaign targeting Councilmember Bruce Silverstein. The resignation follows revelations of a politically charged exchange, sparking controversy during Malibu’s already heated election season.
Sally Phillips, an expert in human resources and executive coaching, has been appointed as the new Board President, signaling a shift in leadership for the nonprofit.
The controversy erupted late this summer when political flyers, social media ads, postcards, and text messages targeting Silverstein, a staunch advocate for government transparency, flooded the Malibu community. Silverstein, who was instrumental in the removal of former city manager Reva Feldman, has faced fierce opposition from pro-development candidates and their supporters.
The smear campaign took an unexpected turn when a local volunteer for Silverstein and fellow Council member Steve Uhring’s re-election campaign reached out to Jones via text message, requesting his support. Jones’s response—a swift message containing a link to a website filled with disparaging information about Silverstein—was sent almost immediately. Screenshots shared with Malibu Daily News revealed that when the volunteer challenged him, Jones responded with a happy-face emoji, which was interpreted as ridiculing.
After further reflection, the volunteer reported the incident to Silverstein, who then alerted the public. When it was later discovered that Jones was the Board President of the Malibu Boys and Girls Club, Silverstein and others reached out to the club’s Executive Director, Kasey Earnest, for clarification.
“THE COVER-UP IS ALWAYS WORSE THAN THE CRIME”
The fallout from Jones’s involvement in the smear campaign led to his resignation, but the controversy is far from over.
Speculation is now mounting that Kasey Earnest could also face resignation after being caught in what appears to be a deliberate lie to protect Jones and the potential negative publicity for the Boys and Girls Club.
Her email, which denied any involvement from Jones, is being scrutinized, with some in the community accusing her of attempting to cover up his role in the smear campaign.
If Earnest is ultimately proven to have knowingly orchestrated a cover-up to protect Jones, she could be forced to step down and the Boys and Girls Club will potentially face even greater challenges in restoring its credibility and maintaining its standing in the community. As the organization grapples with these leadership changes, the broader implications for Malibu’s political landscape continue to ripple.
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Behind the political drama, questions are swirling around the motivation for Nathan Jones’s involvement in the smear campaign. One prevailing theory is simple: “follow the money”.
Jones has significant business interests in hotel projects, a lucrative sector in Malibu. According to multiple sources, Jones had worked on the successful renovation of the neighboring Surfrider Hotel, a high-profile project in the heart of Malibu. However, speculation has arisen that his real target may have been the failed Malibu Beach Motel project, spearheaded by the Hakim Brothers—one of the most controversial developments in recent local history. That project was met with fierce opposition from hundreds of residents, including Bruce Silverstein, who played a pivotal role in stopping it.
The failure of the Malibu Inn Motel project represents a significant financial loss for its developers. Some community members are now speculating that Jones, with his experience in hotel development, may have had a vested interest in the project’s revival. The theory suggests that by discrediting Silverstein—one of the most vocal opponents of the development—Jones could have positioned himself to benefit from future collaboration with the Hakim Brothers, potentially reviving the project or gaining favor in similar future ventures.
Though there is no direct evidence linking Jones and the Hakim Brothers to a coordinated smear campaign, the overlap between his professional interests and the political attack on Silverstein has not gone unnoticed. As of now, these claims remain speculative, but the timing and the players involved have fueled widespread debate in Malibu.
PAUL GRISANTI’S ROLE AND CONNECTION
Adding to the complex web of political intrigue is the involvement of Council member Paul Grisanti, who has longstanding ties to the Boys and Girls Club and was the only city council member to vote in favor of the Hakim Brothers’ failed Malibu Inn Motel project. Grisanti’s pro-development stance aligns with the interests of those seeking to push through projects that Silverstein has long opposed.
Grisanti stands to benefit politically from any efforts to discredit Silverstein, as the smear campaign could undermine Silverstein’s support in the upcoming election. Many believe that by weakening Silverstein’s position, Grisanti and his pro-development allies could gain more influence in future decisions affecting Malibu’s landscape.
While there is no conclusive evidence tying Grisanti directly to the smear campaign, his close connections to the Boys and Girls Club, his vote for the Hakim Brothers’ hotel project, and his political alignment with pro-development interests have fueled speculation that he may be indirectly benefiting from the attacks on Silverstein.
A SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
As Sally Phillips takes the helm of the Malibu Boys and Girls Club, the organization faces the delicate task of regaining trust within the community. The resignation of Nathan Jones and the ongoing speculation about Kasey Earnest’s future have put the club’s leadership under a microscope, raising broader concerns about the integrity of nonprofits in politically sensitive environments.
Malibu’s upcoming election is rapidly approaching, and while Jones’s resignation might signal a temporary resolution, the intricate web of local politics and development interests suggests this story is far from over.
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