Brother of Assembly Speaker Allegedly Intimidated Other Democrats Using Familial Ties
A formal complaint has been filed with the California Democratic Party by a California delegate, claiming that Rick Rivas, the younger brother of a prominent California politician, exhibited intimidating behavior.
TroibNews 
**SACRAMENTO, California** — At the Democratic National Convention in August, the brother of California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas reportedly caused a stir by leveraging his sibling's influence to secure better seating and criticized delegates.
A formal code of conduct complaint, acquired by PMG, was lodged with the California Democratic Party regarding his behavior at the convention in Chicago. Three attendees, including one who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, characterized Rick Rivas’ behavior as aggressive, erratic, and inappropriate. Two of them pointed out that he frequently stated, “I’m the brother of the speaker.”
While the party acknowledged the complaint as legitimate, officials determined it did not require further investigation. Rick Rivas has not responded to multiple inquiries for comment.
As a long-time trusted political adviser to his brother, Rick Rivas has become one of Robert Rivas’ most significant challenges as he rises through the ranks of public office. Questions regarding his brother's influence on his political decisions have often put the speaker in a spotlight he prefers to avoid.
Robert Rivas has consistently denied that his brother, who serves as a high-ranking political strategist for the American Beverage Association, holds any sway in his office.
The complaint, filed by Jonathan Padilla, a delegate from San Jose, prompted a review by party officials who opted not to take further action. Emails obtained by PMG between Padilla and the party ombudsperson revealed that since there were no claims of discrimination based on a protected status, the allegations in Padilla’s complaint fell outside the party’s code of conduct—although Padilla was assured protection from retaliation for submitting a legitimate complaint.
“The California Democratic Party takes all inquiries of violations of our Code of Conduct seriously and has a thorough process through an Ombudsperson to address complaints,” said Robin Swanson, a spokesperson for the party. “In this case, the full complaint was reviewed by the Ombudsperson and determined that this incident did not merit further investigation.”
However, those who spoke to PMG believe the incident at the DNC raises concerns about Rick Rivas' role in the Assembly speaker’s office.
A spokesperson for Robert Rivas addressed PMG’s inquiries, stating, “The Speaker respects the CA Dem Party process and this complaint was found to have no merit over two months ago. He didn’t attend the convention and he has not been involved in this matter.”
Although Rick Rivas is not a registered lobbyist, the American Beverage Association frequently advocates for bills before the Legislature. He has also been criticized for his association with Govern for California, a large donor network aimed at countering “special interest influence” over government, which has been accused of funnelling significant amounts to various assemblymembers, including Robert Rivas.
Padilla, who filed the complaint, is a seasoned supporter of former San Jose Mayor and Representative-elect Sam Liccardo, as well as a tech sector professional. This year, he was instrumental in organizing crypto Democrats in support of Harris and was involved in a vote recount in the primary contest involving Liccardo and others. Additionally, he has worked with an independent expenditure committee supporting Liccardo’s congressional campaign this year.
His detailed complaint, consisting of 1,100 words, presents a critical account of Rick Rivas’ conduct and chides the speaker for seemingly allowing such behavior.
“The guy was acting like a bully,” he recounted in an interview.
Padilla detailed his interaction with Rick Rivas during the nominating convention for Vice President Kamala Harris in August. He reported that he was waiting for a speech from Gov. Tim Walz when Rick Rivas introduced himself and attempted to take seats Padilla had reserved. This led to Rick allegedly knocking Padilla’s belongings to the floor, raising his voice, and at one point attempting to sit on Padilla.
Rick Rivas attended the convention along with a small group of California legislators, while Robert Rivas remained to fulfill responsibilities during the final weeks of the legislative session. He allegedly claimed he needed the seats for the speaker and Dolores Huerta, a prominent labor leader present at the DNC.
Throughout the evening, Padilla claimed Rivas continued to create disturbances, touching him on the shoulder without consent, verbally chastising him over marked political disagreements, and disrupting delegates by frequently entering and exiting the aisle.
The complaint also reported that Rick Rivas critiqued San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for his endorsement of Proposition 36, a divisive crime measure opposed by the speaker and a point of contention among Democrats.
“Most of his actions he justified by saying, ‘I'm the speaker's brother,’ which sticks in my head,” said Padilla, who informed party leaders, including Chair Rusty Hicks, of Rick Rivas’ behavior the next day. “If I had a brother who was acting like that using my name, I would be pretty upset.”
Two other attendees corroborated Padilla’s claims, noting similar behavior during the same convention.
Delegate Bob Mulholland recounted, “Rick Rivas used ‘inappropriate’ language and stepped on my wife’s toes as he brought people in and out of the aisle.” He described Rick as a “fraternity brother who thought he could get away with just pushing people around or yelling at them. It was not a good situation.”
“I thought: ‘God almighty, why would the speaker allow this to happen?’” he added.
After PMG reached out to the California Democratic Party about this report, Padilla alleged in a follow-up complaint to the party ombudsperson that he faced pressure from the Rivas camp to retract his original grievance, with Liccardo acting as the intermediary. Padilla stated that Liccardo warned that pursuing the matter could politically harm both him and Mahan.
Liccardo confirmed he left a voicemail asking Padilla to consider “cooling it” with the allegations against Rick Rivas, but denied pressuring him to withdraw the complaint. His main concern, he stated, was to stay out of a story involving “some kind of silly scuffle” in the media.
“As for Rick, I can say that I’ve never met the man, I’ve talked to him over the phone no more than three times in my life, and I have no reason to know whether JP’s account of his behavior is true or false,” Liccardo added in a text.
Ashford dismissed the insinuation that the Rivas camp attempted to intimidate Padilla or Liccardo regarding the complaint. “Just like the original meritless complaint, there is absolutely no truth to this accusation,” she stated. “It is a fiction.”
Padilla subsequently requested formal protection from retaliation from the party ombudsperson, who confirmed that Padilla’s second complaint alleging retaliation is currently under review.
Mahan issued a statement highlighting his productive rapport with the speaker, expressing confidence in their continued collaboration for the state's benefit. “Regarding Prop 36, while we do not see eye to eye on it, I believe we have an honest disagreement over the policy merits and I know we will work collaboratively to implement the will of the voters,” Mahan stated.
Dan Schnur, a former chair of the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission and an expert on government ethics, assessed the complaint, noting the interaction between Rick and Padilla is typical rather than illegal. “Normally, this type of back and forth occurs between the two parties, but in a one-party state, the warfare becomes internecine,” he commented.
Regarding Rick’s affiliation with the American Beverage Association, Schnur underscored the typical dynamics present in political sectors and drew parallels with accusations historically made against President Joe Biden’s brother, James.
In a statement, the American Beverage Association asserted, "This complaint has been dismissed. Rick is a valuable member of the American Beverage team who represents us well - including at the Convention - and is a great advocate in the state of California."
Rick Rivas has consistently sparked intrigue at the Capitol. Closer allies of the speaker have characterized him as an effective operator, though his combative style is known throughout Sacramento and California's political landscape. One consultant, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, recalled a 45-minute tirade of obscenities directed at them by Rick Rivas during an assembly campaign.
The incident at the DNC has raised concerns among the three individuals who spoke to PMG, suggesting that Rick used his connection to Robert Rivas to gain preferential treatment. Meanwhile, Padilla expressed frustration over the lack of reprimand against Rick Rivas from state Democratic officials following the Chicago incident.
Padilla lamented, “Rick ruined my experience at the convention and left me with a negative view of the speaker. I left with the impression that this was normal activity for him, which is quite scary if an unelected brother of a high-ranking legislative and party official justifies belligerent behavior.”
State Sen. Josh Becker, also present at the DNC, reached out to PMG, asserting that Rick Rivas was “well-behaved and professional” during the event, even helping to save a seat for him. “I was very grateful,” Becker remarked.
Ashford shared statements from three other attendees who highlighted Rick Rivas’ professionalism at the convention, contradicting the complaints made against him. However, another attendee anonymously stated they witnessed similar conduct from Rick during the closing night, noting that he was “shouting at multiple people” while trying to claim seats.
In an interview, the anonymous attendee described Rick as “chaotic and erratic,” emphasizing, “He was shouting and being very loud and obnoxious.”
Reflecting on expectations around his office, Robert Rivas had previously stated, “He’s one of my closest advisers. He’s always been, and that’s never going to change. But, I have always known those ethical and legal lines that must be maintained. And that is never going to change.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
A formal code of conduct complaint, acquired by PMG, was lodged with the California Democratic Party regarding his behavior at the convention in Chicago. Three attendees, including one who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, characterized Rick Rivas’ behavior as aggressive, erratic, and inappropriate. Two of them pointed out that he frequently stated, “I’m the brother of the speaker.”
While the party acknowledged the complaint as legitimate, officials determined it did not require further investigation. Rick Rivas has not responded to multiple inquiries for comment.
As a long-time trusted political adviser to his brother, Rick Rivas has become one of Robert Rivas’ most significant challenges as he rises through the ranks of public office. Questions regarding his brother's influence on his political decisions have often put the speaker in a spotlight he prefers to avoid.
Robert Rivas has consistently denied that his brother, who serves as a high-ranking political strategist for the American Beverage Association, holds any sway in his office.
The complaint, filed by Jonathan Padilla, a delegate from San Jose, prompted a review by party officials who opted not to take further action. Emails obtained by PMG between Padilla and the party ombudsperson revealed that since there were no claims of discrimination based on a protected status, the allegations in Padilla’s complaint fell outside the party’s code of conduct—although Padilla was assured protection from retaliation for submitting a legitimate complaint.
“The California Democratic Party takes all inquiries of violations of our Code of Conduct seriously and has a thorough process through an Ombudsperson to address complaints,” said Robin Swanson, a spokesperson for the party. “In this case, the full complaint was reviewed by the Ombudsperson and determined that this incident did not merit further investigation.”
However, those who spoke to PMG believe the incident at the DNC raises concerns about Rick Rivas' role in the Assembly speaker’s office.
A spokesperson for Robert Rivas addressed PMG’s inquiries, stating, “The Speaker respects the CA Dem Party process and this complaint was found to have no merit over two months ago. He didn’t attend the convention and he has not been involved in this matter.”
Although Rick Rivas is not a registered lobbyist, the American Beverage Association frequently advocates for bills before the Legislature. He has also been criticized for his association with Govern for California, a large donor network aimed at countering “special interest influence” over government, which has been accused of funnelling significant amounts to various assemblymembers, including Robert Rivas.
Padilla, who filed the complaint, is a seasoned supporter of former San Jose Mayor and Representative-elect Sam Liccardo, as well as a tech sector professional. This year, he was instrumental in organizing crypto Democrats in support of Harris and was involved in a vote recount in the primary contest involving Liccardo and others. Additionally, he has worked with an independent expenditure committee supporting Liccardo’s congressional campaign this year.
His detailed complaint, consisting of 1,100 words, presents a critical account of Rick Rivas’ conduct and chides the speaker for seemingly allowing such behavior.
“The guy was acting like a bully,” he recounted in an interview.
Padilla detailed his interaction with Rick Rivas during the nominating convention for Vice President Kamala Harris in August. He reported that he was waiting for a speech from Gov. Tim Walz when Rick Rivas introduced himself and attempted to take seats Padilla had reserved. This led to Rick allegedly knocking Padilla’s belongings to the floor, raising his voice, and at one point attempting to sit on Padilla.
Rick Rivas attended the convention along with a small group of California legislators, while Robert Rivas remained to fulfill responsibilities during the final weeks of the legislative session. He allegedly claimed he needed the seats for the speaker and Dolores Huerta, a prominent labor leader present at the DNC.
Throughout the evening, Padilla claimed Rivas continued to create disturbances, touching him on the shoulder without consent, verbally chastising him over marked political disagreements, and disrupting delegates by frequently entering and exiting the aisle.
The complaint also reported that Rick Rivas critiqued San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for his endorsement of Proposition 36, a divisive crime measure opposed by the speaker and a point of contention among Democrats.
“Most of his actions he justified by saying, ‘I'm the speaker's brother,’ which sticks in my head,” said Padilla, who informed party leaders, including Chair Rusty Hicks, of Rick Rivas’ behavior the next day. “If I had a brother who was acting like that using my name, I would be pretty upset.”
Two other attendees corroborated Padilla’s claims, noting similar behavior during the same convention.
Delegate Bob Mulholland recounted, “Rick Rivas used ‘inappropriate’ language and stepped on my wife’s toes as he brought people in and out of the aisle.” He described Rick as a “fraternity brother who thought he could get away with just pushing people around or yelling at them. It was not a good situation.”
“I thought: ‘God almighty, why would the speaker allow this to happen?’” he added.
After PMG reached out to the California Democratic Party about this report, Padilla alleged in a follow-up complaint to the party ombudsperson that he faced pressure from the Rivas camp to retract his original grievance, with Liccardo acting as the intermediary. Padilla stated that Liccardo warned that pursuing the matter could politically harm both him and Mahan.
Liccardo confirmed he left a voicemail asking Padilla to consider “cooling it” with the allegations against Rick Rivas, but denied pressuring him to withdraw the complaint. His main concern, he stated, was to stay out of a story involving “some kind of silly scuffle” in the media.
“As for Rick, I can say that I’ve never met the man, I’ve talked to him over the phone no more than three times in my life, and I have no reason to know whether JP’s account of his behavior is true or false,” Liccardo added in a text.
Ashford dismissed the insinuation that the Rivas camp attempted to intimidate Padilla or Liccardo regarding the complaint. “Just like the original meritless complaint, there is absolutely no truth to this accusation,” she stated. “It is a fiction.”
Padilla subsequently requested formal protection from retaliation from the party ombudsperson, who confirmed that Padilla’s second complaint alleging retaliation is currently under review.
Mahan issued a statement highlighting his productive rapport with the speaker, expressing confidence in their continued collaboration for the state's benefit. “Regarding Prop 36, while we do not see eye to eye on it, I believe we have an honest disagreement over the policy merits and I know we will work collaboratively to implement the will of the voters,” Mahan stated.
Dan Schnur, a former chair of the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission and an expert on government ethics, assessed the complaint, noting the interaction between Rick and Padilla is typical rather than illegal. “Normally, this type of back and forth occurs between the two parties, but in a one-party state, the warfare becomes internecine,” he commented.
Regarding Rick’s affiliation with the American Beverage Association, Schnur underscored the typical dynamics present in political sectors and drew parallels with accusations historically made against President Joe Biden’s brother, James.
In a statement, the American Beverage Association asserted, "This complaint has been dismissed. Rick is a valuable member of the American Beverage team who represents us well - including at the Convention - and is a great advocate in the state of California."
Rick Rivas has consistently sparked intrigue at the Capitol. Closer allies of the speaker have characterized him as an effective operator, though his combative style is known throughout Sacramento and California's political landscape. One consultant, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, recalled a 45-minute tirade of obscenities directed at them by Rick Rivas during an assembly campaign.
The incident at the DNC has raised concerns among the three individuals who spoke to PMG, suggesting that Rick used his connection to Robert Rivas to gain preferential treatment. Meanwhile, Padilla expressed frustration over the lack of reprimand against Rick Rivas from state Democratic officials following the Chicago incident.
Padilla lamented, “Rick ruined my experience at the convention and left me with a negative view of the speaker. I left with the impression that this was normal activity for him, which is quite scary if an unelected brother of a high-ranking legislative and party official justifies belligerent behavior.”
State Sen. Josh Becker, also present at the DNC, reached out to PMG, asserting that Rick Rivas was “well-behaved and professional” during the event, even helping to save a seat for him. “I was very grateful,” Becker remarked.
Ashford shared statements from three other attendees who highlighted Rick Rivas’ professionalism at the convention, contradicting the complaints made against him. However, another attendee anonymously stated they witnessed similar conduct from Rick during the closing night, noting that he was “shouting at multiple people” while trying to claim seats.
In an interview, the anonymous attendee described Rick as “chaotic and erratic,” emphasizing, “He was shouting and being very loud and obnoxious.”
Reflecting on expectations around his office, Robert Rivas had previously stated, “He’s one of my closest advisers. He’s always been, and that’s never going to change. But, I have always known those ethical and legal lines that must be maintained. And that is never going to change.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
