DOWNEY — Carlos Avalos, a former candidate for the Downey Unified School District Board of Education, is facing a $21,000 fine from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for failing to timely file required campaign finance statements.

The FPPC is scheduled to consider the proposed penalty on February 13.

According to the FPPC’s enforcement report, Avalos and his candidate-controlled committee, Carlos Avalos 4 Downey Schools, did not submit seven semi-annual financial disclosure statements as required by Government Code Section 84200. The violations resulted in a Tier One penalty recommendation.

Avalos ran twice for a seat on the Downey school board, first in 2018 and again in 2020. Both times, he lost to incumbent Giggy Perez-Saab.

The FPPC, the state agency responsible for enforcing California’s political finance laws, is expected to formally review and vote on the matter at its upcoming meeting. If the fine is approved, Avalos will be required to pay the penalty for the filing violations.

The FPPC report highlights the importance of timely campaign disclosures, which provide transparency in local elections. Candidates and their committees are required to report contributions and expenditures to ensure accountability in political campaigns.

It remains unclear whether Avalos plans to contest the fine or provide an explanation for the filing delays. The FPPC’s decision on February 13 will determine the final outcome of the case.