HUNTINGTON PARK : Hernandez Fined for Election Violations
City Councilman Luis Hernandez and two of his campaign committees have been fined $20,000 by the state Fair Political Practices Commission for violations during two election campaigns.
Hernandez and the committees were cited for 11 violations of the Political Reform Act stemming from his successful 1990 campaign for council and from a 1989 special election. 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 commission said.
The allegations against Hernandez first became public in March, when the commission notified the councilman of the allegations. Hernandez failed to respond within 30 days, waiving his right to a hearing, commission officials said.
Neither Hernandez nor his lawyer, Francisco Gutierrez, returned phone calls.
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