Warriors Draymond Green video has BART in political trouble

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- BART is being accused of using public funds to promote Measure RR on the November ballot, the $3.5 billion BART bond plan, which would help pay for improvements to the transit agency.

The ad features Golden State Warriors' star Draymond Green promoting BART, without mentioning the measure. Critics say it still crosses a legal line.

"Measure RR will replace old rails and electrical systems," the campaign ad says.

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By law, BART can't produce ads endorsing or promoting the measure. Supporters on the outside have to do it.

Like the Golden State Warriors, who can and have donated to Measure RR. A web video shows Draymond Green promoting BART.

Nothing wrong there, except if you ask attorney Jason Bezis.

"Mr. Green uses three catch phrases used by the Yes on RR Campaign," said Bezis.

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The three phrases are: "BART is the backbone of the Bay Area;" "But it's 44 years old and needs major repairs;" and "BART and the Warriors have been connecting people across the Bay for 44 years."

The slogan of the campaign is "Keep BART safe and reliable." In the green video, he says, "BART needs to stay safe and reliable so future generations can enjoy games as well."

When asked to explain the similarities, the Warriors told ABC7 News, "That's for BART to comment."

ABC7 News contacted BART who said they had nothing to do with it.

"You're saying that they produced the video, they paid for the video and they put it out there and you just took it," asked the reporter.

"Yeah, we work with them really closely, so we asked for a copy, and they gave us a copy," explained Nicholas Josefowitz, BART director for District 8.

In the meantime, a complaint has been filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission, but the matter is not expected to be resolved by next Tuesday when voters go to the polls.

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