Banning Officials Launch Investigation Into Unauthorized Use Of City Seal On Flyer

BANNING, CA — A promotional mailer displaying the official city seal of Banning without authorization has reportedly circulated around the city, prompting the mayor to denounce the flyers and kickstart an investigation.

Banning Mayor Richard Royce issued a formal statement last month condemning the unauthorized use of the official City of Banning seal on a promotional mailer "circulated by or on behalf of the Sunset Crossroads development project."

The flyer was printed and delivered through the United States Postal Service and "prominently" displayed Banning's official seal without the knowledge or consent of city officials.

The Sunset Crossroads development is a 533-acre industrial and commercial development the City Council officially approved on March 10. The development will also be anchored by a Sam's Club, which officials announced last month. The project was approved by the Banning City Council 4-1, but some residents have expressed concerns about the development and were opposed.

Officials said the City of Banning had no involvement with the flyer; they said the mailers are "troubling" because they bear the official city seal and were circulated to residents who may be deciding to sign a referendum petition on the Sunset Crossroads development project.

"The official seal of the City of Banning is not a promotional device. It is the legally recognized symbol of our municipal government and the public's trust in that government," Royce said in a news release.

"Using this seal without authorization — on a mailer designed to advocate for a private development project — is a clear and direct violation of our municipal code."

Officials said the mailer is a direct violation of Banning Municipal Code 1.08.010 and multiple subsections.

Royce directed the Banning City Attorney's Office to launch an investigation into the origin and distribution of the mailer, and to identify any person or "entities" who were responsible for the flyer's production and circulation.

"Our municipal code is unambiguous," Royce said. "It doesn’t matter whether the intent was to deceive — the code makes clear that unauthorized use of this seal is a misdemeanor regardless of intent. The law exists precisely to protect the integrity of our city's official symbol and, critically, to protect the right of our residents to make decisions free from the implied authority of the city government."