The campaign of California Representative Maxine Waters has agreed to pay a $68,000 civil fine after an investigation revealed multiple violations of campaign finance rules.
According to documents from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Waters’ 2020 campaign committee, Citizens for Waters, failed to accurately report receipts and disbursements, knowingly accepted excessive contributions, and made prohibited cash disbursements. The agreement allows both parties to avoid court proceedings.
Under the terms, the committee must pay the fine and ensure its treasurer attends a Commission-sponsored training program for political committees within a year. Proof of registration and attendance must be submitted to the FEC.
The inquiry found that Citizens for Waters received $19,000 in improper campaign contributions from seven individuals in 2019 and 2020, exceeding the $2,800 legal limit per person. Although the excess funds were returned, they were handled untimely. Additionally, the committee made four prohibited cash disbursements totaling $7,000, each over $100.
The campaign asserted that legal counsel had been retained to guide the treasurer and implement procedures to comply with federal requirements. Waters’ attorney, Leilani Beaver, stated that the violations were unintentional errors, not deliberate acts.
