San Francisco

East Bay Attorney Files Complaint Over Warrior Draymond Green's BART Ad

Is it a Golden State Warriors star urging you to take a ride or a political statement?

A BART promotional video involving Warriors forward Draymond Green is now the subject of a complaint filed with the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

The Lafayette attorney who filed the complaint says the video uses catch phrases that have long been part of the campaign supporting Measure RR, the $3.5 billion bond measure that would raise property taxes in three counties to rebuild the aging transit system.

In the video, Green says, "BART is the backbone of the Bay Area."

Warriors forward Draymond Green appears in a promotional video for BART, and now an East Bay attorney is alleging political improprieties against the transit agency. (Video: BARTable)

The video was posted on the BART website and social media platforms and played during at least one Warriors game.

After watching the 31-second video, attorney Jason Bezis filed a complaint this week with the FPPC, contending it violates state law barring public funds from being used for political purposes.

"The video crossed the line because it uses catch phrases that are from the RR campaign," Bezis said.

Measure RR would raise property taxes in Alameda, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties to rebuild the BART system.

Those who support the measure said the Warriors, not BART, paid for the video. They said it's not part of any political campaign.

"For years, we have always joined with the Warriors to encourage people to take BART, and this is part of that effort," BART board member Nick Josefowitz said.

Bezis argued there’s clearly a connection between the ad and the Yes on RR campaign, noting that Green used some of the same phrasing, such as "safe and reliable."

It usually takes about 14 days for the FPPC to investigate a complaint, so voters will have likely have cast their ballots before the ruling. But Bezis hopes the commission will at least announce it is investigating the allegations before Election Day.

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