The state's political watchdog agency announced today that it will post on its Web site warning letters issued in cases where the subject is found to have violated state campaign laws, but is not issued a fine.
The Fair Political Practices Commission has posted "warning letters" issued between July 1 and Aug. 24. Starting Sept. 1, it will also post advisory letters, which are issued in cases where commission does not have enough evidence to prove a violation, and 'no violation' findings one week after those letters are issued.
The letters have been available in the past through public records requests, but this is the first time the commission's Enforcement Division has decided to automatically make the documents public, FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter said.
"The issuance of these letters by our Enforcement Division is a function that many just don't know about," FPPC Chairman Ross Johnson said in a statement. "The public and media should have access to this information, which details not only those that have violated the Political Reform Act and not received a fine, but instances where the FPPC has found no evidence of wrongdoing."
Porter said the majority of complaints investigated by the FPPC are resolved by issuing a warning letter, which also informs the subject that repeated or future violations will result in a fine.
Read the letters here.
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