The San Diego Ethics Commission has assessed the largest fine ever for violating campaign finance laws to a towing company in San Diego.
Advantage Towing illegally channeled $7,500 in campaign contributions to three candidates in the 2012 mayoral race.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the owner, Ayman Arekat, had employees make the max contributions of $500 with the promise of refunding them on checks from the company account.
The 15 contributions totaled to $3,000 for Nathan Fletcher’s, $4,000 for Bonnie Dumanis’, and $500 for Carl DeMaio’s campaigns.
None of the three candidates even won the race that year; they lost to Bob Filner. The former mayor also had to leave office short after because a sexual harassment scandal.
The towing company faced 32 counts of campaign finance violations. Each count could receive up to a $5,000 penalty. After the three-day hearing, the commission settled 4-1 on a $4,000 fine per violation per the suggestion of Chairman Clyde Fuller.
Arekat and the towing company have 12 months to pay the fine.