Exclusive | California Controller Malia Cohens name gets hijacked for rivals attack website and her lawyers are big mad

California Controller Malia Cohen is tasked with safeguarding the state’s money — but her $1 million reelection campaign forgot to protect one thing: her own name.The Democratic fiscal watchdog’s campaign is now threatening legal action against Republican challenger Herb Morgan over MaliaCohen.org, a slick attack website that catalogs criticism of Cohen’s record.On Wednesday, an attorney for Cohen’s campaign sent Morgan a cease-and-desist letter, which was obtained by The California Post.The letter accuses Morgan of “political cyberfraud,” demanding he remove the website’s content, surrender the domain and confirm compliance within 24 hours.

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Never miss a story “How dumb do you have to be to be a major party political candidate and not secure MaliaCohen.org?” Morgan told The California Post.“It was available.

We purchased it.”Morgan, an investment expert and entrepreneur, said he welcomes the fight.“If she thinks she can intimidate me.I mean, come on!” he said.

“I’ve been around way too long.”Cohen’s campaign has brought in more than $1 million this year, according to state campaign finance records.But the battle over her online namesake has given her opponent another opening to question her attention to detail.The website resembles a polished campaign production — complete with prominent photographs, biographical information and sections examining her record — except it viciously rips Cohen’s time as controller.The site notes Cohen’s failure to conduct homelessness audits despite her campaign promises.

It also spotlights a lawsuit alleging her office and contractors improperly took and sold foreign investors’ stock.The website also notes recent state auditor fi...