SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Fair Political Practices Commission filed a complaint Wednesday seeking injunctive relief and financial penalties against David Fennell, a candidate for the state Senate District 1 seat in the November 5, 2024 general election. .
FPPC, California’s government ethics and campaign disclosure agency, strengthens pre-election compliance and enforcement efforts with a focus on voter access to critical election information and transparency before elections .
The restraining order against Fennell was filed in Butte County Superior Court, FPPC officials said.
According to the FPPC, the commission said Fennell has a history of failing to comply with California’s campaign disclosure laws, has failed to file required campaign statements for the upcoming election, and has disclosed that her campaign finances have been compromised. It is said that the public is being deprived of important information about the situation.
According to FPPC, this legal action is an important step in their efforts to ensure that all candidates comply with political reform laws and provide complete disclosure to voters before Election Day.
“FPPC’s aggressive pre-election program is designed to ensure voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the polls,” said FPPC Executive Director. James Lindsay said. “While our goal is compliance, not punishment, we remain fully prepared to seek a court order to compel candidates to meet their legal obligations if necessary, as we did today with Mr. Fennell.”
FPPC says it has worked diligently to identify noncompliant candidates through an aggressive pre-election program that engages local county and city officials to monitor campaign filings.
Officials said the legal intervention was necessary after Fennell and her campaign were unable to submit a pre-election statement for the next general election on Nov. 5, despite repeated attempts. It is said that
In its injunction, the FPPC asks the court to order Fennell and her committee to immediately submit all outstanding election statements and reports. The FPPC said the court could also impose an unspecified fine on Fennell.
“Our goal is to ensure that all candidates comply with the law so that voters have access to the information they legally need,” said FPPC Chairman Adam E. Silver. “Today’s restraining order against Mr. Fennell underscores FPPC’s commitment to transparency and enforcement in the critical weeks leading up to Election Day.”
FPPC officials said the move is part of a broader series of measures the FPPC is taking ahead of the election, including its AdWATCH program, which allows citizens to report inappropriate political ads; , and prioritization of election-related complaints.
