Gavin Newsom burned by ethics fine over LA wildfire cash

Gov.Gavin Newsom — just a day after announcing he’s under federal investigation — has agreed to pay a $31,500 ethics fine after California’s political watchdogs found the governor failed to timely disclose millions of dollars in donations he solicited, many of which were tied to Los Angeles wildfire relief.The Fair Political Practices Commission’s enforcement division said Newsom failed to file 36 behested payment reports on time in 2024 and 2025, covering more than $5.5 million in payments from corporations, foundations, and other donors.The late reports covered donations from some of the biggest names in business and philanthropy: $1 million from the Chuck Lorre Foundation; $500,000 each from BlackRock, Uber Eats, Lockheed Martin, and the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation; $250,000 from Apple, $200,000 from Amazon, and $150,000 each from Verizon and American Express.Thirty-four of the payments went to the California Fire Foundation after Newsom or his staff directed people looking to help after the devastating January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires to the nonprofit, which supports firefighters and fire victims, according to a filing ahead of a FPPC meeting Thursday.Newsom was already fined once for failing to report millions in behested payments in a timely manner.Watchdogs said Newsom reported the donations before the FPPC became aware of them, and his office cooperated with the investigation.

The filing also noted the emergency circumstances surrounding the wildfires.However, the pattern of late reporting required a substantial penalty because “the present case is a repeat violation.”The governor’s office did not respond to a requst for comment.In November 2024, the FPPC approved a $10,500 penalty against Newsom over late reports involving $14.4 million in behested payments.Under California law, elected officials must disclose payments of $5,000 or more that they solicit for charities, government programs, or other causes.Some of Newsom’s behested pay...