A Bay Area Rapid Transit train leaves the station in Oakland in this 2013 file photo. (Ben Margot / AP)
California’s state political watchdog agency on Thursday imposed a $7,500 fine against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and called for a possible criminal prosecution over allegations the district used public resources to campaign for a 2016 bond measure.
The state Fair Political Practices Commission levied an administrative fine against BART for its failure to disclose spending on YouTube videos, social media posts and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds.
Though the panel lacks authority to seek criminal charges over the misuse of public funds, it also urged county district attorneys in the BART service area and the state attorney general to pursue possible criminal charges over the spending of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes, Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said.
Source: latimes.com – Los Angeles Times