Former Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas has been slapped with a hefty fine by the city's ethics watchdog for accepting a campaign contribution that exceeded legal limits. The Ethics Board of Chicago imposed on Vallas a fine of $10,500 after it was determined his campaign received a $5,000 donation from a company, which had dealings with the city, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Under the city's campaign finance rules, candidates are capped at accepting $1,500 from any entity doing business with Chicago. Vallas, who finished second to Mayor Brandon Johnson in last April's runoff, is both the chairman and treasurer of his campaign fund and the excessive donation was not refunded within the allotted 10-day grace period, according to CBS Chicago. The board had given Vallas the chance to address the violation, but they received no response.
Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and current adviser at the Illinois Policy Institute, has yet to publicly comment on the fine. His campaign committee, Vallas for Mayor, reported just over $60 in funds and more than $22,000 in debts at the end of last year. Additionally, Vallas is embroiled in a legal tangle with a former campaign consultant for which he is seeking a $700,000 reimbursement for alleged undelivered services.
The fine levied against Vallas totals to three times the amount of the excess contribution. A hearing related to Vallas's lawsuit against his former campaign consultant, Chimaboa Enyia, is scheduled for later this week, with Enyia claiming that Vallas's suit is unfounded.
