CIBPAC

California Independent Business Political Action Committee (CIB-PAC) is a general purpose recipient committee located in Sacramento.

In the Matter of California Independent Business Political Action Committee and Charles H. Bell, Jr., FPPC No. 99/195

Staff: Senior Commission Counsel Melodee A. Mathay and Supervising Investigator Sue Straine

California Independent Business Political Action Committee (CIB-PAC) is a general purpose recipient committee located in Sacramento. Charles H. Bell, Jr. is CIB-PAC's paid treasurer. In this matter, CIB-PAC and Bell paid for and sent eight political mass mailings that opposed incumbent Assemblyman Brian Setencich in the 30th Assembly District primary election, and supported his challenger, Robert Prenter. All eight mass mailings failed to disclose proper sender identification, which should have included the name, address, and city of CIB-PAC. By failing to include proper sender identification on the eight mass mailings, CIB-PAC and Bell violated section 84305 (8 counts). Following an administrative hearing in Sacramento regarding this matter, Presiding Administrative Law Judge Jaime René Román issued a proposed decision finding that eight violations occurred, and imposing a maximum administrative penalty of $16,000 on both CIB-PAC and Bell. At its March 15, 2004, meeting, the Commission rejected Judge Román's proposed decision in its entirety, and requested that the parties submit additional evidence, and oral and written argument, on the issue of Bell's liability for the violations. The commission today (June 25) approved the stipulated agreement agreed to by the parties. $16,000 fine.