FPPC OKs fines against Migden
The state Fair Political Practices Commission approved $350,000 in fines against state Sen. Carole Migden (D-San Francisco) for campaign finance violations Thursday, but one panelist objected that the lawmaker was being given the unusual opportunity to pay most of the penalties in a year.
Most politicians pay fines from political contributions, but Migden is raising money for a reelection campaign in which she is facing strong challengers in the June election.
She negotiated with the commission staff to pay $100,000 of the fines immediately and to have up to a year to pay the remaining $250,000.
Commissioner Bob Leidigh voted against the settlement, saying the terms offered to Migden differ significantly from all other cases he has seen, in which fines are collected immediately.
“The reason for my no vote is I think we should have got all the money now,” Leidigh said.
Chairman Ross Johnson said the $100,000 payment Migden has made is from her personal funds, not her campaign funds.
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-- Patrick McGreevy
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