Simmons PAC Fined for Illegal Contributions

January 2, 2013

Texans for Public Justice Press Release

The Texas Ethics Commission has levied a $6,450 civil penalty against WCS-Texas Solutions PAC for making $64,500 in unauthorized political contributions to a group of 18 Texas lawmakers in late 2011. The civil action was initiated by a formal complaint filed by Texans for Public Justice in February 2012.

According to the TPJ complaint the PAC, established by Waste Control Specialists and bankrolled exclusively by Harold Simmons, violated the law because a PAC cannot contribute to candidates if it does not itself have at least 10 contributors. Simmons was the PACs sole contributor.

"We are disappointed in the meager size of the fine", said Craig McDonald, TPJ Director. "It represents a meaningless 10% surcharge on Mr. Simmons’ illegal contributions. The appropriate solution would be a fine at least the size of the illegal contributions".

The Ethics Commission’s Notice of Final Resolution is available here. TPJ?s initial complaint is available here.

"Let’s all pray Simmons takes more care in handling atomic waste that he does in handling his campaign contributions," said McDonald.

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