Rep. Maxine Waters' 2020 campaign, Citizens for Waters, has agreed to pay a hefty penalty following findings of multiple breaches of campaign finance regulations, Fox News reported.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) imposed a $68,000 fine on Waters' campaign team for discrepancies in financial reporting, excessive contributions, and banned disbursements.
On a Friday, the FEC disclosed documents identifying that the campaign committee of the California representative had committed several infractions. These issues centered around their failure to properly document monetary transactions in 2020.
The committee faced significant backlash for accepting contributions surpassing legal limits. It reportedly received $19,000 from seven individuals over 2019 and 2020, outstripping the $2,800 per person limit.
The excessive funds were eventually returned. However, the FEC labeled these reimbursements as untimely, implying the committee acted sluggishly in addressing the financial breaches.
Adding to the campaign’s issues, it was noted that four disbursements exceeded the $100 cash transaction limit, aggregating to $7,000. These actions were flagged as prohibited by campaign finance laws.
To avert legal proceedings, a binding agreement was formulated. This included not only monetary penalties but also corrective measures like mandatory training for the committee's treasurer.
Engaging legal counsel was a significant move by the campaign to safeguard against such mishaps in the future. Attorney Leilani Beaver, representing the committee, explained that these violations were inadvertent.
In correspondence with the FEC, Beaver emphasized that the mistakes were neither deliberate nor purposeful. She described them as errors committed in the political finance process.
The financial missteps of Citizens for Waters are not isolated instances in Maxine Waters’ political career. Previous media scrutiny, notably by OpenSecrets, first broke the present story on the violations.
Previously, in 2023, Fox News Digital reported on another contentious issue. This involved Waters' campaign allegedly paying her daughter $192,300 for managing a slate mailer operation.
Moreover, in a decision reminiscent of this incident, the FEC had dismissed a 2018 complaint against Waters' campaign relating to unlawful contributions.
The current situation places the spotlight on the importance of strict compliance with election-related financial regulations. Waters’ campaign has pledged to implement reforms to ensure robust financial accountability.
The FEC, in its proceedings, necessitated that proof of corrective training be furnished to the Commission. This is part of the agreement enforced to prevent future breaches.
As local elections approach, it will be crucial for Citizens for Waters to regain public trust through transparent financial practices and adherence to legal guidelines.
