Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Releases 2013 Fines List

By Kyle Maichle, Editor of Wisconsin Election Watch,

MADISON – On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board released its list on who got fined in the year 2013.

A total of five individuals were fined for violating the aggregate contribution limit of $10,000 in 2013.  The individuals who were fined for going over the limit were Grant Albert, Anthony Bryant, David DeBruin, and Henry Lynch.

Two committees were fined in 2013 for accepting improper corporate contributions.  One of them was Scott Walker’s campaign committee known as the Friends of Scott Walker.  They were fined $150 for accepting corporate money.   Wisconsin law bans direct contributions by corporations and labor unions.

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38 lobbyists who are registered with the Government Accountability Board were fined in 2013 for improper contributions.  According to GAB records, a total of $ 9,663 of fine money was collected for lobbyists donating to candidates.  Under Wisconsin law, lobbyists cannot make any contributions until June 1st of the year the candidate is up for election.  Some of the most notable lobbyists who were fined include former State Senator Ted Kanavas, Milwaukee Teachers Association President Robert Peterson, and Jeffrey Lord.  Lord received the largest fine for improper lobbyist contributions which was $2,500.

A total of 45 campaign committees were fined in 2013 for either violating laws relating to individual or committee contribution limits.  Some of the most notable individuals to receive fines for violating laws relating to individual contribution limits were Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch with a $500 fine, former State Senator Jessica King with a $1,718 fine, along with current Senators Rob Cowles with a $1,750 fine andRick Gudex with a $1,350 fine.

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For fines relating to committee limit violations, 68th District Assembly candidate Judy Smirga, who was defeated by incumbent Kathy Bernier in 2012, was fined $1,839.79 for violating the law that limits campaigns from accepting more than 65 percent of their contributions from Political Action Committees and official party committees.  Smirga’s fine was the largest fine levied to a campaign committee in 2013.   Other notable individuals to receive fines for violating committee limits were Scott Fitzgerald with a $1,225 fine, along Assembly Democratic Caucus Chairman Andy Jorgensen with a $1,187 fine, and 2013 State Supreme Court Candidate Ed Fallone with a $650 fine.

One member of the Legislature received a fine for an ethics violation.  Freshman State Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) was fined $200 for using state resources for political purposes.

A total of $45,432.43 in fine money was collected by the Government Accountability Board.

Editor's Note-For the complete list of who received fines, please check out this link: http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/12463/wisconsin-government-accountability-board-releases-2013-fines-list/