Coastal commissioner pays $1,000 fine for failing to report financial stake in project [Updated]

A California coastal commissioner who abstained from voting on a controversial waterfront redevelopment project his brother was working on has paid a $1,000 fine for failing to fully report his economic interests. 

Commissioner Patrick Kruer failed to list his brother's construction-management firm and report income from the business on financial disclosure forms for five years starting in 2005, according to documents filed by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Kruer, a La Jolla real estate investor, had been a vocal proponent of a multimillion-dollar project to revamp the downtown San Diego waterfront. He abstained from voting in April after Coastal Commission staff questioned him about his brother's financial involvement. The project was rejected on a 5-5 vote.

Kruer's brother, Jonathan, is president and chief executive of J.T. Kruer & Co., which had been working on the waterfront redevelopment.

Patrick Kruer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

[Updated at 6:40 p.m.: "Due to an oversight, I did neglect to report a few interests on my annual Statements of Economic Interests and as a result I have paid a modest penalty," Kruer said. "I have filed amendments correcting the oversight. I look forward to moving forward on the Coastal Commission."]

FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter said Kruer signed a statement admitting to the violation and sent a payment. The commission will vote whether to accept the penalty at its Oct. 14 meeting in Sacramento.

-- Tony Barboza

Comments

[Sam J]

Accept the penalty? Fire the so-and-so!

[Dario]

$1000? What a joke.