Mercurynews.com reports:

Five lobbyists failed to disclose meetings with San Jose’s elected leaders as required by the city’s lobbying regulations, according to an investigator’s report that a city commission will review today. But most of the lobbyists and council members disputed the investigator’s findings, saying the reported meetings either never happened or did not involve matters subject to disclosure.

“We take the law very seriously and make every effort to ensure that our conduct and our reports are in full compliance,” land-use consultant Gary Schoennauer, one of the accused lobbyists, said in a written response to the city clerk.

San Jose’s Elections Commission hired private investigator Roberto A. Rivera, who is working on a $40,000 retainer contract, to examine lobbyists’ compliance with the city’s disclosure rules.