SANTA ANA : Ex-Councilman May, His Committee Fined

Former City Councilman Ron May and his fund-raising committee have been fined $2,000 by the state Fair Political Practices Commission for campaign violations during his failed reelection attempt in 1990.

The commission voted unanimously Thursday to levy the fine against May, who served on the City Council from 1986 to 1990, and his brother Cecil May, who was treasurer of the campaign committee when the violations occurred. Ron May and his committee failed to properly report a total of $5,876 in contributions under $100 and contributing surplus campaign funds to other candidates, FPPC documents show.

“It was an unintentional mistake on our part, and when we found out, we reported it, but by the time we reported it, it was late,” Ron May said Friday. “And so we were fined, and I’ve paid the fine, and as far as I know, that’s the end of it.”

At least four candidates received the surplus funds, including current Councilman Ted R. Moreno, and several candidates who ran unsuccessfully in the 1992 election.

However, FPPC spokeswoman Linda Doherty said that the recipients did not know the money was given improperly and that accepting the funds violated no law.

Moreno said he received $500 from May’s campaign but emphasized that he did not know the contribution violated election laws.

Councilman Robert L. Richardson, who reported the violation to the FPPC last year, said he was pleased with the commission’s decision. He added: “Justice has been served. I think the message is you can’t play fast and loose with making these kinds of contributions.”