Carpenters to pay fine for violating campaign finance law

The Carpenters PAC of Phila & Vicinity, a major supporter of state Sen. Anthony H. Williams, agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for donating $21,500 to the mayoral candidate in one calendar year.

The city's Board of Ethics announced the settlement agreement Thursday.

The Carpenter's PAC gave $10,000 to the candidate committee of state Sen. Anthony H. Williams in January 2014. The PAC later gave $11,500 to the Williams for Mayor campaign. The city limits PACs from donating more than $11,500 to one candidate in one year.

"A precandidacy contribution made in the same calendar year that an individual becomes a candidate counts toward the contribution limits for that year," the settlement says. "Because the Carpenters PAC of Phila. & Vicinity had made a contribution of $10,000 to the Williams senatorial committee on January 31, 2014, it was only allowed to contribute an additional $1,500 in 2014 once Senator Williams became a candidate for Mayor."

However, the PAC made its contribution of $11,500 to Williams for Mayor in November. The contribution therefore exceeded the city limit by $10,000, the ethics board found.

"The Carpenters PAC immediately acknowledged the violation and agreed to resolve the matter by settlement," the settlement, which was signed by PAC chairman Ed Twiford, said.

The only penalty listed in the agreement is a $1,000 fee (the code calls for a $2,000 fee).

Asked if Williams will have to pay back the money, Michael Cooke, the ethics board enforcement director said: "I can't comment on that."

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