Public Service Commissioner Lauren McDonald could face fines of more than $20,000 for campaign ethics violations. But McDonald argues the case should be thrown-out, with only a minimal fine.
The case stems from McDonald’s 2002 campaign for a seat on the Public Service Commission. He lost that race to Angela Speir. McDonald agrees with the state Ethics Commission that during that campaign, he had thousands of dollars of un-reported contributions and expenses.
When asked by an administrative law judge Monday how much he should be fined, McDonald said about $5,000. However, current ethics laws could allow for a much bigger fine than that.
An initial judge’s ruling on a possible fine should come in the next 30 days. The PSC then decides whether to accept or reject that ruling.
McDonald was re-elected to the PSC last year.
The case stems from McDonald’s 2002 campaign for a seat on the Public Service Commission. He lost that race to Angela Speir. McDonald agrees with the state Ethics Commission that during that campaign, he had thousands of dollars of un-reported contributions and expenses.
"Let me make something very clear. I recognize the fact at the time in ’02 that I was late filing those reports. They were all filed, but not timely. And it was a surprise to me that they just surfaced in the middle of a very statewide campaign."McDonald says he felt assured by ethics officials in 2004 that corrected reports he filed solved the problem.
When asked by an administrative law judge Monday how much he should be fined, McDonald said about $5,000. However, current ethics laws could allow for a much bigger fine than that.
An initial judge’s ruling on a possible fine should come in the next 30 days. The PSC then decides whether to accept or reject that ruling.
McDonald was re-elected to the PSC last year.
