For Immediate Release: June 19, 2018
The Ethics Commission unanimously approved a stipulated order at its meeting today, imposing a fine totaling $3,750 in an enforcement case involving a violation of the $700 per-person limit on contributions made to a single candidate or officeholder.
Kim, Joo & Associates (KJA) and Young Son Kim (Kim) each contributed to the same City Council campaign committee during the 2013 general election. Because Kim holds an ownership interest in KJA of more than 50 percent, their contributions must be aggregated and treated as having been made by a single person. The aggregated contributions made by Kim and KJA totaled $1,150 and exceeded the per-person contribution limit by $450. Among the factors considered by the Ethics Commission in approving the stipulated $3,750 penalty was the fact that KJA and Kim had a prior history of making excess contributions.
“Campaign finance contribution limits are integral to ensuring fair elections and City decision-making processes,” said Kirsten Pickenpaugh, Acting Director of Enforcement. “Today, the Ethics Commission clearly communicated that it will not hesitate to impose increased penalties upon persons who repeatedly violate those limits.”
In a stipulated order, the respondent must admit to engaging in the conduct that violated the law. All fines imposed by the Ethics Commission are paid to the City’s general fund. Copies of enforcement actions and related decisions and orders are available at ethics.lacity.org.
The Ethics Commission was created by Los Angeles voters in 1990 to impartially administer and enforce the City’s governmental ethics, campaign financing, and lobbying laws.
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