Assemblyman Fined $2,500 in Ethics Case

The city’s Ethics Commission approved a settlement Thursday in a campaign fund-raising case based on Assemblyman Carl Washington’s attempt to raise money for a City Council campaign.

The Democratic assemblyman, who represents Watts, Compton, Paramount and other cities, is running for the council seat held by Rita Walters. He was fined $2,500 for sending fund-raising letters in late July seeking contributions so he could raise $200,000 by Nov. 1 for the 2001 election.

Under the city’s ethics regulations, candidates cannot begin fund-raising for that April primary election until Oct. 10.

Washington, who has agreed to the fine, also failed to file with the city’s Ethics Commission formal papers declaring his intent to run and solicit funds.

In related developments at the commission’s monthly meeting, the panel opened discussions on amending the city’s matching-funds program that gives candidates public funds if they agree to limit campaign spending, even of their own money.