Ah, but another example of the special interests in Sioux Falls getting a free pass;
Two political action committees that donated to City Council candidates in the 2008 election filed late campaign finance reports. But neither has paid fines, prompting questions about what, if anything, should be done.
Well, I am no lawyer, but logic would tell me they can’t donate anymore money until they their pay fines,
The fines could be reduced or forgiven, he added. But Amundson (City Attorney) ruled out prohibiting the PACs from participating in the next election if they don’t pay their fines, saying that would be too “harsh.”
What is so “harsh” about that? Rules are rules? Fines are fines. When is the last time a traffic judge found someone guilty of speeding but told that person they didn’t have to pay the fines because that would be to ‘Harsh’. A penalty is meant to teach you a lesson for breaking the law, doesn’t matter if that law has changed, it applies to when the rules were broken.
Some city councilors have suggested that the fines be forgiven or reduced.
I would be okay with a reduction, but not forgiven. Once again, Sioux Falls politics prove, it’s who yah know, not what yah know.
Someone should file a mandamus to compel the bureaucrat to do his job. What a bum.
You are gonna see a lot of this shit until the next mayor is sworn in.
No surprise here. They’ll burn $100,000 to go after a $200 citizen fine but forgive thousands owed by PAC’s. If they weren’t government, they’d be organized crime.
It’s always lose lose for the taxpayer and extreme gain for the monarchy.
“They’ll burn $100,000 to go after a $200 citizen fine but forgive thousands owed by PAC’s.”
PG – That was the first thing I thought when I saw that. Like I said before, it’s who yah know.
They’re spending all that money on your case because if you win, they’ll have precedent and the city won’t be able to go after anyone again.
Could cost a lot more than $100k.
Now, there’s finally higher government appeal process. What started with 4 double jeopardy citations and numerous illegal city zoning physical and verbal threats has become a major public case. The city (defendant) must restore constitutional democratic SD & US judicial procedures. With networking, a class would use this case and ask their Home Rule Charter be revoked per constitutional violations. The case file is a landmark precident. My testimony will always be offered uncompensated. As a combat veteran, this is what I owe those who’ve served and are serving.
GoD-
Actually, if PG wins, it will make the process better for citizens AND the city, and constitutional. And they could have resolved PG’s case early on by simply granting him a pass. But now they are trying to cover up their mistakes by throwing a bunch of money at the problem.
Interesting enough though, Knudson has suggested that fines be dropped in the campaign violations, and Staggers said that would be okay, but if they do that they have to give $50 back to a mayoral candidate who was fined at the same time, and paid his fine. This is going to get interesting.