FPPC Refereeing Political Battle Over Sacramento Kings Downtown Arena
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The Fair Political Practices Commission is stepping into the fight between groups split on the downtown arena issue.
It's a whole different ballgame, with a scoreboard that's political paperwork—campaign disclosure statements that are supposed to show political contributions and spending.
Even Sacramento Kings play-by-play man Grant Napear would have trouble making this exciting.
Now one side is calling foul. DowntownArena.org is accusing arena opponents of breaking the law by not disclosing whose money they are spending.
"Why's it so important for them to hide it? They're going to great lengths to try and not disclose it? That usually, in politics, means there's a reason."
The complaint filed with the FPPC shows evidence, like a cashed check from a for-profit political services company to a signature gatherer dated June 28.
The company that wrote that check isn't listed in the campaign disclosure statements that are supposed to be filed through June 30.
The FPPC says it's looking into the claims.
"Our entire mission is to make sure the public has information so they can decide who's funding political messages."
The disclosures do show Sacramento Taxpayers Opposed to Pork paid $2,500 to consultant Tab Berg.
"There are different schedules different types of organizations have to file, and my anticipation is that everyone that's required to file in accordance to the law."
The FPPC has 15 days to decide if it will open an investigation. If the allegations are true, the campaigns at fault face fines of $6,000 per violation and will have to reveal their sources of funding.
