Political Notebook

Political Notebook

State’s political watchdog hits Fresno Chamber PAC with small fine

By John Ellis

jellis@fresnobee.com

January 15, 2016 03:26 PM

Al Smith, President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, said an oversight led to the Chamber’s political action committee missing a $50 annual dues payment to the state. The result is a recommended $200 fine from the state’s political watchdog.
Al Smith, President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, said an oversight led to the Chamber’s political action committee missing a $50 annual dues payment to the state. The result is a recommended $200 fine from the state’s political watchdog. JOHN WALKER Fresno Bee Staff Photo
Al Smith, President and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, said an oversight led to the Chamber’s political action committee missing a $50 annual dues payment to the state. The result is a recommended $200 fine from the state’s political watchdog. JOHN WALKER Fresno Bee Staff Photo

The state’s political watchdog has recommended a minor $200 fine against the Fresno Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee because it did not pay its $50 annual fee in 2014.

State election law requires established political committees to pay the fee each year they are registered with the state.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission’s staff recommended the fine. It will be considered by the FPPC board at its Thursday meeting in Sacramento. The Chamber, however, has already agreed to the fine.

Al Smith, the Chamber’s president and CEO, and also treasurer of its PAC, said the fee at the time was newly imposed for political action committees, and came at a time when the person running the Chamber PAC’s accounting passed away. The situation has since been corrected, Smith said.

John Ellis: 559-441-6320, @johnellis24

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