The state’s elections watchdog is suing a Northern California State Senate candidate, alleging that he failed to disclose mandatory campaign finance records.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Wednesday evening announced that it filed a complaint for injunctive relief and monetary penalties in Butte County Superior Court against David Fennell, a Republican running in Senate District 1 against Assemblywoman Megan Dahle, also a Republican.
That means that the FPPC is seeking to force Fennell to comply with state campaign finance disclosure law, and also could impose a cash penalty on his campaign. The FPPC alleges that Fennell “has a history of failing to comply with California’s campaign disclosure laws.”
The lawsuit comes less than two weeks before Election Day.
Reached for comment, Fennell said that he has stopped by the FPPC office to try and clear things up regarding any missing paperwork.
“We’ll follow up and make sure that they get it at the latest Monday morning, if it’s missing,” he said.
Fennell also questioned the motivation of the legal challenge, just days before the election.
“I find the timing of it interesting,” he said.
Senate District 1 spreads across NorCal, from Yuba City to Yreka. The district currently is represented by Sen. Brian Dahle, husband of Megan Dahle. Term limits prohibit him from seeking reelection.
The FPPC is an independent and nonpartisan commission with members from multiple political parties.
“The FPPC’s proactive pre-election program is designed to ensure that voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box,” said FPPC Enforcement Chief James Lindsay in a statement Wednesday. “While our goal is compliance, not punishment, we are fully prepared to seek court orders to compel candidates to fulfill their legal obligations, when necessary, as we have done today with Mr. Fennell.”
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