Assembly candidate Sandra Celedon has been accused of violating state campaign finance laws by being the principal officer for a committee that is exploring placing a transportation tax on next year’s ballot.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) confirmed that it received a complaint against Celedon last week alleging that she is violating state law.
Driving the news: Celedon, the CEO of social justice nonprofit Fresno Building Healthy Communities, is one of three candidates in the race for 31st Assembly District, along with Fresno City Council member Annalisa Perea and James Polsgrove.
- She also is the principal officer for Transportation for All, a group led by Fresno Building Healthy Communities that is looking to influence the renewal Measure C, Fresno County’s transportation tax, or by crafting its own version of the half-cent sales tax.
The big picture: The FPPC complaint argues that Celedon’s roles as a candidate and as the principal officer for Transportation for All are incompatible because she would be able to raise money in excess of California’s campaign contribution limit for her Assembly campaign committee.
- Per the complaint, Celedon would be able to raise funds through Transportation for All and direct them to her Assembly committee.
- According to a report from GV Wire, the FPPC said Transportation for All filed a termination statement of its committee on May 14, less than an hour before the complaint was filed. Transportation for All spent $1,129, mostly on compliance.
What she’s saying: Celedon said the complaint is much ado about nothing.
- “I trust the FPPC will determine, upon receipt of my response, that this complaint has no merit and requires no further investigation,” Celedon told GV Wire. “To whomever filed the complaint, no matter how thin they slice it, it’s still bologna.”
