Kern County’s premier Republican political consulting firm, run by Mark Abernathy, has been operating on a suspended state registration after, according to officials, failing to pay taxes.
The state Franchise Tax Board suspended Western Pacific Research's corporation status Feb. 3, according to the California Secretary of State's office.
The company owed the tax board $7,066.18 as of Tuesday, agency spokeswoman Tami Grimes said, and is no longer a legal corporation in the state.
"They have lost the right and privilege to do business in California," she said. "In court, all contracts they have entered into are null and void."
What that means for the company and its many high-profile clients remains unclear.
Election season is in full swing and the primary election that could decide the fate of at least two Abernathy-backed candidates will be held on Tuesday.
By all appearances, Western Pacific Research has been operating despite its suspended status.