Tech Founder, California Tax Official Spar Over Fundraiser Mixup

Feb. 25, 2025, 9:45 AM UTC

An elected California tax official is facing allegations he told tech company founder Palmer Luckey that he’s unable to treat him fairly on California tax matters because Luckey hosted a presidential campaign fundraiser without inviting him.

Luckey called into a State Board of Equalization meeting last week saying that member Mike Schaefer wrote increasingly angry letters and treated Luckey’s staff rudely because he believed Luckey was hosting a 2024 event for then-President Joe Biden. Schaefer also sent him a $1,000 check to attempt to gain entry.

Luckey did in fact host a presidential fundraiser last summer—for Donald Trump.

Schaefer appeared ...

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