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By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – April 2, 2026
To: Honorable Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative,
Dear Ambassador Greer.
I am writing to you as an investigative journalist and civic watchdog in Del Norte County, California, regarding serious and ongoing concerns involving the Crescent City Harbor District (CCHD)- a public agency that has demonstrated a persistent pattern of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and noncompliance with both state and federal obligations. This correspondence is prompted by recent public statements from Harbormaster Michael Rademaker, who indicated his intent to contact you directly regarding federal opportunities tied to maritime initiatives.
Given the gravity of the issues outlined below, I believe it is critical that your office receive a complete and accurate account of the Harbor District’s operational deficiencies before any federal engagement occurs.
1. FINDINGS FROM CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORTS (24-25)
The Del Norte County Grand Jury issued consecutive reports identifying systemic failures within the Harbor District, including:
Lack of financial accountability
Inadequate governance practices
Failure to follow statutory obligations
Deficient internal controls over public funds
Despite these findings, meaningful corrective action has not been implemented.
2. Noncompliance with Oath and Bond Requirements
Under California Harbors and Navigation Code section 6056, Harbor Commissioners are required to ;
Take and properly file Oaths of Office
Maintain faithful performance bonds
Evidence indicates that multiple commissioners have failed to maintain valid bonds and/or properly executed oaths, raising serious legal questions about the legitimacy of Board Actions and decisions. Additionally, Mike Rademaker recently obtained a masterbond in place of requirement official performance bond under harbor and navigation codes 6056. the masterbond was for year 2009; Mr. Rademaker did not work for the harbor during that time and signed the document. Mr. Rademaker signed oaths that he allegedly administered. He does not have the authority to administer oaths. and the person who actually administered the oaths was Harry Adams a former Secretary of Harbor District.
3. FAILURE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC FINANCIAL RECORDS
The Harbor District has repeatedly:
– Refused to provide complete financial records to the public as well as Commissioners who ask for them. The Harbormaster Rademaker produced altered, incomplete, or unusable documents and on one occasion destroyed investigative documents which were public documents.
4. FAILURE TO SECURE EMERGENCY (OES) FUNDING
On July 30, 2025 the harbor endured a tsunami and was awarded emergency funds to repair the harbor, however, The office of California senate leadership Senator Mike McGuire had to intervene.
The only responsive commissioner, Annie Nehmer, was contacted directly. Harbormaster Rademaker failed to complete or submit necessary documentation. The failure jeopardized access to critical emergency funding and demonstrates administrative incompetence at the highest level.
5. FAILURE TO MEET FEDERAL AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
The Harbor District is currently in default or noncompliance regarding:
USDA LOAN OBLIGATION (5 MILLION)
Payment due September 1, 2025 and is paid with TOT tax voted on by the public, However, because the Harbor District has no harbor district facility plan, the County was not able to make their payment to USDA. Additionally, the Harbor District has an outstanding legal judgement of approximately 5 million dollars. 375,000.00 was due on March 1, 2026 and they were not able to pay that. Furthermore, it is worthy to state, Mr. Rademaker, received a 14-20,000.00 raise voted on by three board members. Their Contract employee Sandy Moreno was hired at 50.00 per hour and they gave her a 25.00 per hour raise resulting in 75.00 per hour. Rademaker gave all harbor employees raises anywhere from 14 to 17% knowing the Harbor District is insolvent. These failures raise serious concerns regarding fiscal solvency and eligibility for future federal funding.
6. PATTERN OF AGENCY NOTIFICATION WITHOUT RESPONSE
Numerous state and federal agencies have been made aware of these issues, including :
California Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION (MARAD)
CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER’S OFFICE
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL
DEL NORTE COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
And, despite these notifications, there has been little to no corrective action or oversight intervention. Given the Harbor District’s documented failures, financial instability, noncompliance with transparency laws, and failure to meet federal loan obligations, any representation made by Harbormaster Rademaker to federal officials- particularly in pursuit of additional funding participation in federal maritime initiatives-should be carefully scrutinized.
I respectfully request that your office; decline or delay any engagement with the Crescent City Harbor District until a full review is conducted. Please refer this matter for federal investigation or audit, particularly regarding, use and management of federal funds, Compliance with federal grant and loan conditions. Please Coordinate with relevant oversight agencies to assess eligibility for future federal funding.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Attached to this email is grand jury reports for 24-25, California Statement of Corporation unfiled for last 4 years, oaths and bond information available upon request. Both were forged by Rademaker who is not an executive administrator of public oaths, and who did not begin working for the harbor district until 2019.
In Closing,
This situation presents not only a local governance failure but a potential risk to federal programs and taxpayer funds. Immediate oversight is warranted before further damage occurs. Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent matter.
Respectfully,
Linda Sutter
Investigative Reporter
Crescent City Times.com
Attachments were sent:
’23-’24 Grand Jury Report, Staff Use of Credit Cards and Compliance with Annual Audit Requirements
’24-’25 Grand Jury Report, Brown Act Violations and Fiscal and General Management
Allied Insurance, Crime Policy Declarations Form A
December 6, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes of the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the Crescent City Harbor District (CCHD)
January 16, 2026, Letter to CCHD from Del Norte County Board of Supervisors (BOS) regarding Harbor Commissions Bonding Requirements
January 22, 2026 Letter to Chair Joey Borges and BOS responding to the Bonding Requirements
