California Fair Political Practices Commission Fines Elk Grove-based PAC $11,500

December 28, 2017 |  

The California Fair Political Practices Commission has levied a significant fine against an Elk Grove-based political action committee for the repeated late filing of mandated financial disclosures.

During their December meeting, the FPPC fined the Elk Grove Education Association's political action committee $11,500 for failure to comply with election laws. The fine was based on 10 separate incidents where the EGEA political action committee filed late reports.

The oldest of the 10 violations were the late filing of the semi-annual report for the period ending December 31, 2015. That statement was filed 18 days late on February 19, 2016. The association also was 28 days late in filing its semi-annual report due on June 30, 2016. 

The more common filing violations were during the 24-hour reporting requirement in days leading up to elections. During the 2016 election cycle, the association failed to timely report contributions to candidates and incumbent Elk Grove Unified School District trustees Nancy Chaires-Espinoza, Carmine Forcina, and Chet Madison Sr. and the committee in support of Measure M.

On seven occasion between August 29, 2016, and October 27, 2016, the EGEA made contributions totaling $39,271 but did not report within 24 hours. While six of the late reports were filed within four days, the August 29 report was submitted 34 days late.

The stipulation agreement for the penalty list EGEA political action committee principal officers as Lee Ramaley and Kathleen Tijan, and its treasurers as Ramaley and Jeremy Roberts during the period of the violations.

The investigation was initiated by the FPPC after receiving a sworn complaint on October 28, 2016, alleging numerous campaign reporting violations.