Need to get your school bus camera ticket "fixed"? Contact Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez

From a public Nextdoor post by "Barbara S." of Wheaton Park: 

Councilmember Fani-Gonzalez

I just sent a thank you e-mail to the office of Natalie Fani-Gonzales [sic] via one employee of hers named Hazel for helping us to have a $300.00 school bus camera fine dismissed, so you will know who to contact if something like this happens to you. She is our ward 8 representative. You would have to contact the representative in your ward. [Editor's note: Natali Fani-Gonzelez is actually a Montgomery Council Council member. There are no "wards" in Montgomery County.] Early in October 2024, my husband stopped behind a school bus without a stop sign out and the bus driver waved him on, but the stop sign popped out as soon as he passed and a week later we got a $300.00 ticket in the mail. I requested a court date, which was finally scheduled for this coming Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. I waited for the court date so I could try to find out who the bus driver was and subpoena him. I spent an hour and a half in several offices at the court house getting help navigating the automated phone system of the school bus camera company and getting different phone numbers to try to talk to someone. I then made dozens of phone calls over a period of these last 3 weeks to the school bus camera people, Montgomery County Schools and the police. The school headquarters told me to call their transportation dept. The transportation dept told me to call the police and the police would call them and give them permission to reveal who the bus driver was. The person at the transportation department had no idea how that process worked and neither did the person at the non-emergency number of the police. The man who answered the non-emergency # transferred me to the records dept and the records dept lady led me to file a request for the record on line. I finally, after several phone calls to a lady there who was trying to help me, received an answer saying they had no record and I had to call the school system. I went back and forth between the police dept and the school system's transportation department many times as people in both of those places were trying to help me, but could not. Since I had probably spent about 40 hours of my time being passed from one office to another, to no avail, I contacted Natalie Fani-Gonzales' office and she said she would contact the police and I should hear from them the next day. I had heard nothing after a week, so I contacted Ms Fani-Gonzales' office again and a lady named Hazel apologized that it was taking so long, but said they were having technical problems dismissing the case because a hearing was pending. I had resigned myself to having to go to court this Wednesday at 1:00 P.M.,but I found a letter in our mailbox this morning dismissing the case. What a relief after having this hanging over our heads for 11 months, because it took that long to get a court date. I had also alerted Hazel to the fact that my husband was in the middle lane and there was a car on each side of him that also passed the bus driver in the same incident because he waved them on, so they must also have received tickets. I don't know if they had contacted Ms Fani Gonazles' office or not, but maybe it was my telling her about them that got their tickets dismissed too. I doubt that most people would have known what to do or even had the time. It would have cost anyone who had to take time off work to do what I did more than the $300.00 fine, and they would have just paid it. I am thankful that my husband works and lets me stay home to manage the household and any problem like this that crops up. There are no lawyers who will accept school bus camera cases because once the bus camera has a picture of your car passing a school bus with it's camera out, you are presumed guilty.

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PCMC analysis

County Councilmembers are supposed to make laws, not decide who wins or loses in court. When a councilmember steps in to get a ticket dismissed, that’s more than bending the rules—it may be illegal.

Maryland’s Constitution (Article 8 of the Declaration of Rights) makes the separation of powers crystal clear: legislative, executive, and judicial powers “ought to be forever separate and distinct.” If a legislator interferes in a pending case, they’re crossing into judicial territory.

There’s also the issue of misconduct in office, which Maryland recognizes as a common-law misdemeanor. Courts define it as corrupt or improper behavior by a public officer while using their position. To prove misconduct, the State must show: 

1. the person is a public officer,

2. they acted in their official capacity, and

3. they acted corruptly or improperly.

If a councilmember uses their influence to pressure police or prosecutors into dismissing a case that’s already scheduled for court, that could fit the definition. Beyond the legal problem, it undermines fairness. Most people don’t have a politician to call to make their cases disappear. Justice should be based on law and evidence—not political favors.

No BOE Vote/No Budget for Move Leads to: ‘Hasty, haphazard, sloppy’: Community meeting raises concerns about plans for alternative education

A community meeting about Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) relocating an alternative education program from Silver Spring to the Flower Valley and Manor Lake neighborhoods of Rockville became chaotic Thursday night as Rockville residents largely voiced their opposition to the move. 

“That is not what we were told,” one audience member in the Flower Valley Elementary School cafeteria called out during the MCPS presentation. “Can we see the data? Since we can get a straight answer?” another one asked.  

Dozens of community members from the two neighborhoods were gathered for a meeting hosted by councilmember Natali Fani-González (D- Dist.6), who represents the area, after the community raised concerns for safety and security and for a lack of transparency from MCPS on the move.  

“MCPS did not get off to a good start,” Del. Vaughn Stewart (D- Montgomery County), who lives in the neighborhood, said at the Thursday meeting.  “It appeared hasty, it appeared haphazard, it appeared sloppy, and that’s not the way that we want this relationship, and this partnership, and this program to start off.” ..

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/07/11/community-meeting-concerns-alternative-education/

Natali Fani-González on WAMU: "We need more transparency from MCPS."

 WAMU link Go to minute 46 of the broadcast for Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez's response

to a question about the announcement that MCPS was owed $1.5 million dollars from Highland Electric Fleets

and/or HET MCPS, LLC their electric school bus vendor.

BOE Candidate Keeps PTA President Position, Includes 5 Councilmembers in Elem. School Culture Night event. Is this a campaign rally or a PTA event for kids?

The Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Bylaws states that when an officer of the organization files for candidacy for public office they are to resign within a week. 

Individual PTA Bylaws also have language that speaks to how the organization handles it when an officer files for candidacy for public office.

At North Chevy Chase Elementary School, the PTA Bylaws state that members in their official capacities shall not, directly or indirectly, participate or intervene...in any political campaign on behalf of...any candidate for public office...

And yet, at North Chevy Chase Elementary School (NCCES) we see what is typically a night devoted to spotlighting the heritage of students turned into what looks like a campaign event.  20 MINUTES of the 2 hour Culture and Heritage Night are being turned over to 5 County Councilmembers and 10 minutes will be spent hearing from a current candidate for a Board of Education seat.  

The NCCES Culture and Heritage Night is being run by a current candidate for the Montgomery County Board of Education, Rita Montoya.  Rita Montoya is currently the PTA President at North Chevy Chase Elementary School and is actively maintained that position while campaigning.  

Montoya uses her PTA position in her campaign materials.  Montoya's day job is General Counsel and Founder of Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association but that position is not stated on her campaign information.   

Here's how the Culture and Heritage Night is being advertised to NCCES students and parents: 

But here's what the proposed Agenda for the NCCES Culture and Heritage Night looks like. Students and their families are in for a surprise.

For reference, here's what a typical MCPS elementary school Culture and Heritage or International Night looks like: 

Is the May 2, 2024, School Culture Night at North Chevy Chase Elementary School a student centered, PTA event or a campaign event?

Cutting Silvestre off, the councilmember replied, “I’m gonna push back. You don’t have a staff issue. What you have is an attitude. You gotta make sure you understand your power and demand accountability and transparency. You don’t need people to tell you that. You can do that yourself. You’re an elected official.”

Montgomery County Council, school system leaders hold tense discussion over report into MCPS’ handling of employee complaints

ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) — Leaders from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Council met Thursday to review and discuss a less-redacted version of a report digging into the school system’s failures to conduct thorough investigations of employee complaints and concerns.

Members of the council pushed over the last few weeks for the county Board of Education to release the report put together by outside firm Jackson Lewis last year. The Board released a version with fewer redactions just before Thursday’s meeting started at 3 p.m...

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/montgomery-county-council-school-system-leaders-hold-tense-discussion-over-report-into-mcps-handling-of-employee-complaints/

PCMC Exclusive: County Council candidate and former Planning Board commissioner Natali Fani-Gonzalez under review for possible false property tax exemption claim and tax evasion

A supervisor at the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation has confirmed that the property tax account for County Council candidate Natali Fani-Gonzalez and her husband, Angel Gonzalez, is under review for illegal receipt of 100% tax exemption following a greatly exaggerated military disability claim.

Based on submission of their claim of 100% military disability for Mr. Gonzalez to SDAT in 2017, the couple has been exempt from payment of property taxes on their Montgomery County home for the past six years. State law provides for this exemption only for 100% disabled military veterans; any lesser disability percentage does not qualify a veteran for any property tax exemption at all.  (A partial tax credit is available under property tax code § 9-265 to veterans in some counties (but not Montgomery County) with at least 50% military disability but that's entirely different from an exemption.)  Generally, 100% disability status is granted only if a veteran is so disabled that he or she requires round-the-clock care. Even loss of several limbs does not automatically qualify a veteran for 100% disability.

According to court documents obtained from the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Mr. Gonzalez is, at worst, 30% disabled.

Veteran’s disability application procedures generally confer a temporary, interim status of 100% disability while the claim is being reviewed. However, this status is quickly adjusted to the actual disability rating after review by the disability board. Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez apparently never advised SDAT the Mr. Gonzalez’s temporary disability rating had been reduced to 30% or less, which has enabled them to continue to improperly receive 100% exemption from property taxes.

Even though Mr. Gonzalez is apparently able-bodied enough to go bicycle riding, as illustrated by a photo on Mrs. Fani-Gonzalez’s campaign web page, he has continued to pursue his 100% disability claim. Mr. Gonzalez even went so far as to claim traumatic brain injury, but the court rejected his claim.

From 2017 to 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez have avoided paying approximately $22,000 of property taxes though their false claim of 100% military disability.

See: MD Code, Tax - § 7-208. Disabled veteran or spouse's home.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE.

The entire court decision can be obtained (for free) from:

https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=CaseSearch.jsp

Enter case #20-4067 and click on the entry from 5/5/2022.

100% disabled Angel Gonzalez on a bike ride with Natali

SDAT assessment record showing EXEMPT status

Recent property tax bill showing no taxes, just solid waste and WQPC fees (which are not taxes). This saved Natali about $4000 per year.

A Montgomery County Official Kept An Incredibly Well-Stocked Office Bar. We Made Him A Cocktail Menu

 

Local news lovers may have seen the ABC7 exposé this week revealing that the chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board stocked his Wheaton office with a full bar and hosted Planning Board meeting after-parties and happy hours in said office.

A whistleblower reported Casey Anderson’s liquor cabinet, which reportedly has more than 30 bottles of liquor in it, along with citrus squeezers and other bar tools, ABC7 reported. An investigation by the Inspector General of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which administers the county planning board, turned up at least three employees who acknowledged drinking alcohol in Anderson’s office, according to the report. In a statement to ABC7, Anderson apologized for keeping the bar at the office.

A Montgomery County Official Kept An Incredibly Well-Stocked Office Bar. We Made Him A Cocktail Menu – DCist

Montgomery Council launches probe of official who kept well-stocked bar in his office

 

...In an interview, Council President Gabe Albornoz (D) said he and his colleagues are “very concerned” about Anderson’s practice of drinking at work and have launched their own review.

“The Council oversees Casey, because he is a political appointee,” said Albornoz. “So whatever action is taken will be the council’s responsibility.” He said the panel cannot disclose details because they consider the issue to be a personnel matter.

Albornoz declined to speculate on potential sanctions, but he said the council would be guided in part by how the commission has handled instances in which other employees have engaged in similar conduct.

“There are factors that are going to be considered. Scope and any sort of precedent. We’re looking at commission rules [as well as] how as the commission handled other incidences in which alcohol has been involved with merit-level employees to see if there is some guidance,” he said. “All of those are factors that we’re going to weigh.”..

Montgomery Council launches probe of official who kept well-stocked bar in his office - Maryland Matters