A Southern California Democrat running for county office faces explosive allegations from former campaign staffers who claim she forced them to touch her breasts during a staff meeting while making inappropriate comments about her body.
Campaign Staff Detail Disturbing Encounter
Janet Keo Conklin, a real estate agent and La Palma council member seeking Orange County’s assessor position, allegedly told two staffers she had no feeling in her nipples and placed their hands on her chest, instructing them to squeeze. The former employees reported being shocked by the encounter, immediately removing their hands from the candidate. LAist first reported the allegations on Friday, which also include accusations that Conklin misused campaign funds for personal expenses including restaurant meals and attempted to classify her living arrangements as campaign expenses.
Michael Trujillo, Conklin’s political consultant, vigorously denied all allegations and blamed disgruntled former staffers for coordinating a smear campaign after being terminated for poor performance. He specifically targeted former campaign treasurer Cine Ivery, who was previously named in a 2024 enforcement decision by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission for campaign finance violations involving former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s 2018 campaign. Trujillo told The Post he recommended firing Ivery shortly after joining Conklin’s team due to her troubling history with campaign finance rules.
Party Withdraws Support Over Financial Concerns
The Democratic Party of Orange County rescinded its endorsement of Conklin after learning of the allegations in February. Florice Hoffman, the local Democratic Party chair and attorney, moved quickly to withdraw support and advised Conklin to hire a criminal lawyer. Former staffers alleged campaign funds totaling nearly all of the $61,000 raised since last year were improperly spent, including payments to Conklin’s daughter Natalie Khay and friend Shauna Harris, who allegedly never worked on the campaign.
Candidate Dismisses Controversy
Conklin appeared unconcerned about losing Democratic Party backing, telling reporters that endorsements come and go, adding that if they don’t include financial support, they hold little value. Trujillo characterized the entire situation as overblown, claiming it stems from a Sizzler restaurant receipt that Conklin couldn’t document. He criticized media coverage and announced plans to focus energy on recruiting new Democratic leadership. Conklin faces Republican incumbent Claude Parrish in the race to oversee the county office managing property tax assessments across Orange County.