Huntington Park : Hernandez, Campaign Fined for Election Violations

City Councilman Luis Hernandez and two of his campaign committees have been fined $20,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission for several violations during two election campaigns.

Hernandez and the committees were cited for 11 violations of the Political Reform Act stemming from his successful campaign for council in 1990 and from a special election in 1989. The commission said Hernandez failed to file required campaign finance statements on time, making it impossible for voters to know who financed the campaigns.

Hernandez also failed to follow rules for reporting individual contributions of more than $1,000, and made improper cash expenditures, including $400 for a band he hired for a fund-raiser, the FPPC said.

The allegations against Hernandez first became public in March, when the FPPC notified the councilman of the allegations. Hernandez failed to respond within 30 days, waiving his right to a hearing, FPPC officials said.