Political watchdogs fined Newsom for failing to report $5.5M in solicited donations on time
California’s political commission on Thursday finalized a $31,500 fine against Gov. Gavin Newsom, complaining that the leader of the Democratic Alliance failed to report twelve payments of approximately $ 5.5 million mainly to support fire recovery in the time specified under the law of the land.
The Political Reform Act requires elected officials to disclose payments of $5,000 or more that they solicit or direct others to donate to a charitable, legislative or governmental purpose within 30 days.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission said 34 of the violations were for failing to report on time that Newsom and his staff directed communications with companies and foundations that wanted to help after the Los Angeles fire broke out at the California Fire Foundation. This non-profit organization was started in 1987 by the California Professional Firefighters to support the families of fallen firefighters and communities affected by fires.
Donations include $1 million from the Chuck Lorre Foundation and $500,000 each from Lockheed Martin, the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and BlackRock, among other gifts.
The governor also failed in 2024 to report on time two requested payments, a total of $100,000 from the Schmidt Family Foundation and Schwab Charitable Funds to the Institute for Local Government, a non-profit organization within the League of California Cities.
The commission said the governor reported all payments “before public discovery” or contact with its enforcement agency, which it considers a mitigating factor. Newsom also signed the clause and agreed to the fine.
Tara Gallegos, a spokeswoman for Newsom’s office, said the issue involved late filing when the governor’s staff was focused on emergency response and support for survivors. He also emphasized the fact that the reports were filed before he was contacted by the FPPC.
Gallegos said the fine is unrelated to the Justice Department’s investigation into the governor and his wife, which Newsom announced this week.
Newsom alleged Monday that Trump is using the government as a political weapon to target him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. Newsom announced the investigation after learning that the FBI and Internal Revenue Service had questioned associates about nonprofits and businesses related to the couple.
The governor’s office described the investigation as a fishing trip. The Trump administration declined to comment.
A source familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to discuss it publicly, said that the investigation has been going on for over a year, and that it did not come from Washington, DC, but stemmed from discussions between detectives and prosecutors from a Sacramento-based organization. The investigation is related to the taxes of Newsom, Dana Williamson and Siebel Newsom, the source said.
The FPPC violation marks the second time Newsom has reported late payments, raising his fine for a new violation. The commission fined Newsom in 2024 for failing to timely report 18 payments worth $14.4 million.
