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LA Mayor To Be Fined For Taking Free Tickets

 SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- California's campaign finance watchdog is recommending the largest combined fine in the agency's history against Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for failing to report free tickets to dozens of entertainment events.

   The action was published Friday by the California Fair Political Practices Commission.

   It's a result of a joint investigation by the state agency and the Los Angeles Ethics Commission. Each agency is recommending fines of about $21,000.

   In 2010, the city commission voted to prohibit all elected officials from accepting free tickets to events if the donor has business before the city. That action came after Villaraigosa acknowledged he had accepted tickets to events such as the Academy Awards, "American Idol" finals, and Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers games.

   A commission spokesman says the mayor has agreed to the fine.

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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