San Diego Ethics Comission Under Fire
The Voice of San Diego's David Washburn writes what virtually everyone downtown thinks: The Ethics Commission and its Executive Director Stacey Fulhorst are out of control. Kudos to Peters and Madaffer for standing up for the First Amendment.
Peters, Madaffer Take Aim at Ethics Commission By DAVID WASHBURN
Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 | During his ultimately unsuccessful run for city attorney earlier this year, City Council President Scott Peters touted his role in forming the San Diego Ethics Commission, which he called "one of the toughest and most effective ethics commissions in the state."
Now, two months from being termed out of office, Peters is saying the commission is too tough.
In a rare dressing down of the city's political watchdog by an officeholder, Peters last week said fine amounts levied by the commission on his council colleagues and other politicians have been excessive, and its disclosure requirements of paid lobbyists unfair.
"I have always been in favor of an ethics commission," Peters said. "But it has become more punitive than I had envisioned it. We didn't intend to set up a criminal enforcement system."
Peters' sentiments were shared publicly by fellow termed-out Councilman Jim Madaffer, who leveled sharp criticism from the council dais at the Ethics Commission Chairman Gil Cabrera and Executive Director Stacey Fulhorst.
"Look, you guys need to spend more time on the educational side of things," said Madaffer, who later called some of the fines "outrageous," and referenced a $17,000 fine levied on Councilman Ben Hueso in 2007 for accepting unlawful campaign contributions.
Cabrera was taken aback by the ire from the council members, and said it threatens the commission's independence given that City Council controls its funding.
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