Until then, the case is considered open, said Roman Porter, the commission’s executive director.
Created by the Political Reform Act of 1974, the state agency regulates and investigates campaign finance and conflict-of-interest violations of laws. Though the agency must look into all of the thousands of complaints received annually, not all end up being the subject of formal investigations by its enforcement division.
The violation was regarding cash contributions that Weaver received during the campaign.
Under state law, candidates for public office cannot receive more than $99 in cash from any single individual or entity. The Fair Political Practices Commission can levy a $5,000 fine per violation, Porter said.
Upon discovering an error during the 2005 campaign, Weaver said he reported the issue to state election officials.
“I worked with the investigator,” Weaver said Thursday. “I fully cooperated and said I messed up. I wasn’t trying to hide.”
While Weaver said he has signed an agreement regarding the settlement, financial penalties agreed upon by the agency and respondent must receive commission approval to close a case, Porter said. The commission is next scheduled to meet Dec. 10.
Weaver declined to reveal the amount of the settlement, although he said he was surprised by how large it was.
“Wow, I just got socked,” he said.
It is not clear how many violations were included in Weaver’s settlement. Weaver has been the subject of other commission investigations in response to complaints from City Council critic Barry Allen. One complaint alleging that Weaver violated conflict-of-interest laws in 2008 was dismissed by the commission in October.
Another complaint alleged a handful of campaign reporting violations during the 2005 election, including the failure to disclose control of a bank account associated with Weaver’s nonprofit organization, Dreaming of Roses, a major fundraiser for the city’s annual entry into the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Weaver has repeatedly fended off attacks on his involvement with the nonprofit, with some alleging he unfairly used his role on the dais to raise funds for the organization.
Weaver said Allen has used numerous complaints to various agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, to attack his personal character and damage his reelection campaigns.
“He’s filed them all over the place on me, and all I can do is sit back,” Weaver said.
But Allen countered that he was within his rights to file a complaint whenever he believes there is a violation of the law.
