Officials Undecided on Citizens Group Fines

Westlake Village officials are undecided about levying fines against a citizens group that missed a deadline for filing campaign finance reports in connection with a failed recall attempt.

City Clerk Laura Johnson said she will consult with the city manager and city attorney on the matter, but she thinks that the city will probably waive any fines because it appears the group did not deliberately defy the law.

Westlake Village Residents Opposing Non-Responsive Government launched the recall against City Council members Kris Carraway and Doug Yarrow after they voted last April to approve a controversial PriceCostco store in the city. The recall fizzled.

Johnson said she sent the recall group a letter in February informing it about the missed Jan. 31 deadline for filing the reports. When she received no response, she said, she sent a certified letter Feb. 23 to the home of recall leader Frank Abundis.

The recall group filed an incomplete report March 14, Johnson said, then filed an amendment March 18. It also submitted a letter of explanation, signed by its treasurer, Howard Ex, apologizing for missing the deadline and blaming it on his “ignorance and inexperience” in such matters.

Legally, Johnson said, the city could fine the group as much as $100. Under state law, the group could be fined as much as $2,000 by the state for each undisclosed donation or expenditure, and an additional $100 fine if the group shows “willful refusal” to provide the information, said Gary Huckaby, a spokesman for the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission.

Huckaby refused to comment on the matter, saying the agency has a policy of not confirming or denying complaints or investigations.