Bernson Pays $1,500 to Ethics Commission
Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson has ended a two-year battle with the city’s Ethics Commission by paying a $1,500 fine levied against him for spending funds from his officeholder account to buy Hollywood Bowl tickets.
Ethics officials confirmed Friday that Bernson paid the fine about two weeks ago instead of appealing the fine to a Superior Court judge.
Bernson declined to comment but in the past has expressed frustration over the case, saying he believes the Ethics Commission has unfairly targeted him.
By paying the fine, Bernson puts an end to the first case of its kind brought against an elected official since the Ethics Commission was created in 1990.
The commission charged that Bernson violated ethics laws by spending $1,140 in officeholder account funds to buy season tickets to the Hollywood Bowl. The account is funded by lobbyists and supporters and can only be used on expenses related to serving and communicating with constituents.
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