State Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) agreed to pay $10,000 in fines for violating campaign finance rules, according to documents released Monday from California’s campaign finance watchdog.
Nielsen admitted to violating the Political Reform Act by making a contribution of $4,320 to unsuccessful state assembly candidate Bob Williams through the Tehama County Republican Central Committee in 2012. Individual contributions in that race were limited to $3,900 and the law prohibits earmarking money in such a way as well as making contributions in the name of another. Nielsen further violated the rules by improperly disclosing the contribution in campaign filings.
In its reports, the Fair Political Practice Commission concludes that all parties agreed or understood that the Tehama County committee would act as the intermediary for Nielsen’s contributions to Williams’ campaign.
“This arrangement, in conjunction with erroneous campaign statements, kept information from the public regarding the campaign activity and the true source of Williams’ campaign funds,” the FPPC says.
Williams, a two-term member of the Tehama County Board of Supervisors, and party officials agreed to pay $13,000 in fines in the case.
Separately, the FPPC also found that Nielsen illegally received tickets to an NBA game from a lobbying firm. It is unlawful for lawmakers to knowingly receive a gift from lobbyists.
In the Los Angeles Times, Nielsen’s campaign treasurer Charles Bell said that Nielsen was “pleased” to resolve the complaint by an opponent after more than three years.
“In their settlement agreement, the FPPC acknowledges that only a minor contribution related to this politically motivated complaint was incorrectly reported,” Bell said to the Times.
An NSPR request to Nielsen’s office for comment has not yet been returned.