First District City Council candidate Bill Grisolia has finally submitted his campaign finance report that was due Feb. 26. He turned in the paper filing last Friday, 22 days late, which will result in a $220 fine for the embattled candidate.
Candidates also are required to file an electronic version of the finance statement, which makes it available online, but Gini Galletta of the City Clerk's office said that Grisolia had technical problems and that for now he won't be fined any further. The clerk's office is awaiting a ruling from the City Attorney's office, she said.
Grisolia's finance report for Jan. 1 through Feb. 21 lists only a handful of contributions, despite early endorsements from several powerful unions before his tax problems and an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol were revealed this month (see story here). The report says he had $4,800 in contributions, including a $2,500 donation from the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices, and a $100 donation from 7th District Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga.
The lion's share of Grisolia's campaign funding came from $18,500 in loans he made to himself. Yet, Grisolia owes back taxes to the state and federal governments from the 2005 bankruptcy of his restaurant, Island Sunfish Grill, and was laid off from his job with DaVita dialysis center in January.
Grisolia explained this week that he has been supported by his family and friends since losing his job.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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