Panel Says the Florio Campaign Broke the Law, but Cuts the Fine
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The Election Law Enforcement Commission has concluded that Gov. Jim Florio’s campaign violated the campaign spending law, but reduced the fine that an administrative law judge had suggested because of “inconsistencies” in the law. Deliberating until 12:30 this morning at the Berkeley Heights municipal building, the three commissioners voted unanimously to combine four charges involving Florio fund-raisers into one charge and fine the campaign $2,500. The administrative law judge, Beatrice S. Tylutki, had suggested a $10,500 fine because the campaign used general-election money before the primary for fund-raisers intended to raise money for the fall campaign. “The commission found practical difficulties and inconsistencies in the campaign act,” said Fred Hermann, the commission’s executive director. On Tuesday, another administrative law judge dismissed another complaint filed by the campaign of Mr. Florio’s Republican challenger, Christine Todd Whitman, concerning visits to New Jersey by two members of President Clinton’s Cabinet. Reno and Babbitt More : query.nytimes.com |