The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)’s Enforcement Division has recommended the agency fine Palo Alto Board of Education member Ken Dauber $200 for failing to file a campaign contribution statement on time.
Dauber, who was elected to the board in November 2014, told the Weekly that he was “inadvertently late” in filing a semi-annual statement for contributions for the second half of last year, due Feb. 1. He said he received no contributions during that time period, which covered July 1, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015.
The FPPC found no evidence of any “intent to conceal,” according to documents included in the agency’s July 21 meeting agenda, when the commission will officially vote on the Enforcement Division’s proposal.
Dauber said he paid the fine several months ago, though the check will be held until the July 21 vote, FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga wrote in an email to the Weekly.
Dauber said he has already filed the statement for the first half of this year, which is due at the end of this month. He did not have any contributions for that period either.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that the fine is not official until the FPPC votes on the Enforcement Division’s recommended penalty on July 21.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that the fine is not official until the FPPC votes on the Enforcement Division’s recommended penalty on July 21.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to clarify that the fine is not official until the FPPC votes on the Enforcement Division’s recommended penalty on July 21.
“The dog ate my homework” excuse.
So let me see if I understand this. Ken is being fined $200 for not reporting that he has nothing to report. A clear example of too many rules to follow and too much bureaucracy. Just think of the time spent by some state employee following up on this issue, the time Ken spent resolving it not to mention that it has to be voted on by the FPPC at a meeting based on a report from the Enforcement Division which stated there is no evidence of “intent to conceal. Tough decision on that as they probably discussed if Ken wanted to conceal that he didn’t receive any donations. And we wonder where our tax dollars are going and why there isn’t more available for schools!