California campaign against gay marriage faces $49,000 in fines

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The campaign committee for Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot measure banning gay marriage in California, faces $49,000 in fines for failing to properly report and handle political contributions it received.

The fines are proposed by the enforcement staff of the state Fair Political Practices Commission against the campaign committee ProtectMarriage.com—Yes on 8 for failing to properly file public reports disclosing late contributions and contributions over $5,000, as well as failing to properly dispose of an anonymous $10,000 contribution. More than $1 million in contributions were not properly reported.

In all, the campaign committee faces 18 counts of violating state campaign finance laws.

The campaign committee has admitted to the violations and agreed to the fines, but the FPPC will consider its staff recommendation at an Aug. 16 meeting.

Proposition 8, which limited marriage to a man and a woman, was approved by California voters but struck down by a federal appeals court. Andy Pugno, an attorney who has represented the campaign committee, was not immediately available for comment.

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-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento