Bustamante agrees to largest ever campaign violation fine

Mercury News ^ | 4/13/04 | Tom Chorneau - AP

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante paid a record $263,000 fine for violating state limits on accepting campaign donations, California's Fair Political Practices Commission said today.

The state's political watchdog agency charged in a civil lawsuit filed in January that Bustamante and his supporters improperly moved $3.8 million between campaign committees during the recall election in an effort to skirt contribution limits.

Although FPPC officials have said Bustamante faced fines of as much as $9 million, the $263,000 settlement is still the largest ever paid by a candidate.

[NormsRevenge]

fyi

[gorush]

He paid about 1/34th of the expected/potential fine...what percentage is necessary to qualify as a "slap-on-the-wrist"?

[BenLurkin]

You beat me by 72 seconds! NUTS.

Still, I like the quiz proposed on the later thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1117145/posts

[BenLurkin]

BTW, no mention of what POLTICAL PARTY Cruz belongs to in the Mercury News either . . .

[South40]

I am proud to say that my vote in the recall election helped defeat Cruz Bustamante.

[NormsRevenge]

You're late! ;-) lolol

[socal_parrot]

Hey Cruz, want some cheese?

[StoneColdGOP]

Choke on it, Cruz!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Well, there is some justice in California.

[jocko12]

LOOKS LIKE BUSTY ONLY MADE 3.5 MIL. ON THE FINE.

[WestCoastGal]

Here's a little something for Mr BustaMecha..........

Chipotle's "Great Burrito Refund" aims to get you a bonus this year. Customers who purchase food at Chipotle restaurants between Sunday and Wednesday should save the receipt and fill in the 2003 BurritoEZ Form, available at the restaurants. The form, which looks a lot like a government form (and is roughly as confusing), is part fun, part brain twister, part consumer survey. Present the form and receipt on Thursday - tax day - and you'll receive a free burrito. And if you're making the eleventh-hour dash to the post office, the items are available to go.

[Iberian]

LOL, funny. This guy is a piece of work. A shame to my Hispanic brothers.

[ladyinred]

So this small amount he has to pay in a fine is obviously worth it for the amount of funds raised illegally. This is hardly punishment! Disgusting!

[South40]

You're late! ;-) lolol

It's never too late to admit that a vote for McClintock did absolutely nothing to prevent a Bustamante win. ;-) lolol!

[Starve The Beast]

Although FPPC officials have said Bustamante faced fines of as much as $9 million, the $263,000 settlement is still the largest ever paid by a candidate.

Yeah, "as much as $9 million...". But probably not, right?

If we're only going to fine scumbags like Bustamante a tiny fraction of the money they make by naked graft, why do we bother?

[Blue Highway]

BTW, no mention of what POLTICAL PARTY Cruz belongs to in the Mercury News either . . .

He's a democrat unless he changed party affiliation since the recall election.

[Libertina]

Precisely my argument. Why would they ever stop? Same in WA State and the WEA (Education Association) they violate the laws every year, get slapped with a tiny fine, and then continue on thier way... Disgusting abuse of power.

[Iberian]

I don't understand why this guy is still around? . If you were Arnie, why would you keep him around.
This guy is not the hispanic model for vision. He is to hispanics a hang-on guy, a political lifer. Why is this guy sticking around?? I keep going to the same thought pattern.

Dammm I'm a loop.

[Amerigomag]

is still the largest ever paid by a candidate.

In what world does Mr. Chorneau live? Bustamante won't pay a a dime. His campaign contributors will.

The commission knew how much Bustamate had left in his campaign fund. It would be refreshing to see a fine that resulted in real financial harm to a candidate.