Shoreline City Council member John Chang was fined $250 for violating the state’s public disclosure law.
Chang was fined for not timely filing 2005 campaign reports for contributions and expenditures. He filed reports late on four occasions, between four and 39 days late, and was originally fined $500 with $250 suspended.
Lori Anderson, a Public Disclosure Commission spokesperson, said of the four late reports, three were reports of deposits and one was a contribution and expenditure report. An enforcement hearing was held Oct. 18 in Olympia.
A complaint was filed, Anderson said, prompting the commission to investigate the matter.
“This is far before the election and he corrected the reports,” Anderson said. “There is plenty of time before the election so the public can get a clear picture of his campaign.”
Anderson said $250 was suspended on the condition that no violations occur within two years of the date of order.
“The charges are relatively minor and there wasn’t a dispute of the facts going into the hearing,” Anderson said. “If anyone is unhappy… there is a process to ask the entire board to review it.”
Chang said his treasurer filed a few forms late, and he takes full responsibility for the violation. He said this is the first time he has been fined by the commission.
“It is minor, just late filing” Chang said. “Since August I have been completely up to date.”
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