State panel to scrutinize former Sumner superintendent
SARA SCHILLING
The state Public Disclosure Commission plans a hearing this month on allegations a former Sumner School District superintendent broke state campaign finance disclosure rules.
Gil Mendoza’s enforcement hearing is June 28, according to a notice from the PDC.
Mendoza, who parted ways with the district last summer after four years in the job, sent out a mailing during the fall election supporting a slate of School Board candidates. He allegedly didn’t properly identify who sent the mailing or “timely file” a report disclosing $8,168 in expenditures.
Mendoza said he was trying to exercise his First Amendment right and wasn’t aware of the state law governing election mailers. He complied once he learned of the rules, he said.
The commission can assess up to $1,700 for one violation or up to $4,200 for multiple violations, the notice says. It also can refer the issue to the attorney general for higher penalties, the notice says.
sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com
