Politicians fined for gifts

SACRAMENTO -- Local politicans are facing fines by a state ethics commission for failing to properly report gifts.Assemblyman Hector De La Torre faces a $200 fine by the Fair Political Practices Commission for not reporting a $94.46 dinner provided by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians. De La Torre represents the southern parts of Downey in the state Assembly. Sen. Ron Calderon, who represents local cities including Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs, but not Downey, was fined $600 for not declaring a $189.84 meal from Medtronic, Inc.; $250 in golf fees from CA Telecom Association; and $300 concert tickets from Verizon. Calderon's brother, Charles Calderon, represents North Downey in the Assembly. The commission will consider the fines at its Feb. 11 meeting in Sacramento.

********** Published: February 5, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 42