Audit Alleges Many Baugh Violations of Election Laws

SANTA ANA — Assemblyman Scott Baugh, who already faces an array of criminal charges stemming from his 1995 election campaign, also committed dozens of minor election law violations, an audit conducted by a state agency contends.

The audit, conducted by the Fair Political Practices Commission, found that Baugh committed as many as 75 violations of state campaign finance laws. Most of the alleged violations involve shoddy record-keeping and failure to disclose information, according to the audit.

The audit, which is part of a court motion filed this week by the Orange County district attorney’s office, concluded that Baugh “has not substantially complied with the disclosure and/or record-keeping provisions of the Political Reform Act.”

Among the alleged violations: failing to report approximately $1,600 in contributions; not listing the sources of $14,000 in cash contributions; failing to report a $15,000 loan; and not disclosing the sources of some $13,000 in loans. The report said Baugh, a Huntington Beach Republican, did not keep adequate records for several financial transactions made by his campaign, but it did not offer any additional detail on the loans or contributions in question.

Allan H. Stokke, Baugh’s lawyer, criticized the district attorney’s office for introducing the audit in court, making it public. He said the report merely shows that Baugh’s former campaign accountant, Daniel Traxler, made numerous mistakes.

“Their entire case rides on Traxler, and he is totally undependable,” Stokke said. “The audit shows that Traxler didn’t have any idea what he was doing.”

Traxler and officials in the district attorney’s office declined to comment.

The state Franchise Tax Board conducted the audit for the FPPC, which has filed no charges against Baugh. But the audit also outlines the allegations that prompted the criminal charges against the assemblyman in March.

Baugh, 33, faces four felony charges, including falsifying campaign reports and persuading another person to commit perjury. He is also charged with 18 misdemeanors for allegedly hiding the sources of campaign money.

Baugh won a seat in the Assembly last year when he ousted former Speaker Doris Allen (R-Cypress) in a recall election. His win gave the GOP enough votes to take control of the Legislature’s lower house.

Baugh’s trial is set for Aug. 26.