An Article by Eric Vodden for the Appeal Democrat
State Sen. Jim Nielsen and the Fair Political Practices Commission have reached a $23,000 settlement agreement on an alleged violation stemming from a 2012 political contribution in Tehama County.
Nielsen, R-Gerber, whose district includes Sutter and Yuba counties, allegedly made a $4,320 contribution through Tehama GOP to pay for a radio ad supporting unsuccessful Assembly candidate Bob Williams. The contribution exceeded Political Reform Act limits allowed through a third party, the FPPC said.
Also named in the violation are Taxpayers for Jim Nielsen, Charles H. Bell Jr., the Tehama County Republican Central Committee, Roger Marsh, Linda Alston, Robert A. Williams, Friends of Bob Williams for Assembly 2012 and David Bauer.
In addition, the FPPC said Nielsen also violated the act when he received a gift of tickets to a Sacramento Kings basketball game from a lobbying firm representing the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The gift of the tickets was reported by Nielsen on 2011 spending statements.
The agreement calls for penalties totaling $23,000.
FPPC commissioners will consider the agreement during next week's commission meeting in Sacramento. It is included on the consent agenda, which consists of several items considered to be routine and approved en masse.
Bell, the treasurer for the Taxpayers for Jim Nielsen — 2012 Committee, acknowledged the settlement agreement in a prepared statement. He said it stems from a complaint "filed by a political consultant working for an opposing candidate."
"In their settlement, the FPPC acknowledges that only a minor contribution related to this politically motivated complaint was incorrectly reported," the statement says. "All other contributions that were a part of this complaint were both lawful and correctly disclosed by the committees involved."
As for the Kings tickets, the statement says the FPPC "acknowledges that the gift was correctly disclosed by the Nielsen committee, but was subject to a new interpretation of the gift rules."
An FPPC spokesman said he could not discuss details of the case before it is considered by the commission.
Also included on next week's FPPC meeting is consideration of a proposed $311 fine against Jennifer Dupré, an unsuccessful candidate last year for Sutter County district attorney. She and campaign officials allegedly failed to file a pre-election campaign statement on time.
evodden@appealdemocrat.com