James “Jim” Nielsen, Taxpayers for Jim Nielsen – Assembly 2012, Charles H. Bell, Jr., Tehama County Republican Central Committee, Roger Marsh, Linda Alston, Robert A. “Bob” Williams, Friends of Bob Williams for Assembly 2012, and David Bauer

Laundered Campaign Contributions
Fine: $23,000
FPPC No. 12/377

James “Jim” Nielsen, Taxpayers for Jim Nielsen – Assembly 2012, Charles H. Bell, Jr., Tehama County Republican Central Committee, Roger Marsh, Linda Alston, Robert A. “Bob” Williams, Friends of Bob Williams for Assembly 2012, and David Bauer.  James “Jim” Nielsen has served in the California Legislature for over eighteen years as a State Senator and Assemblymember. Taxpayers for Jim Nielsen – Assembly 2012 (“Taxpayers for

Nielsen”), was Nielsen’s candidate controlled committee. Charles H. Bell, Jr. was the treasurer for Taxpayers for Nielsen. Tehama County Republican Central Committee (“Tehama GOP”) was a political party committee located in Red Bluff, CA. Roger Marsh was the treasurer for Tehama GOP in July 2012, and Linda Alston was the treasurer for Tehama GOP in February 2013. Robert A. “Bob” Williams was an unsuccessful candidate for California State Assembly, 3rd District, in the June 5, 2012 Primary Election. Nielsen and Tehama GOP endorsed Williams in the election. Friends of Bob Williams for Assembly 2012 (“Friends of Williams”) was Williams’ candidate controlled committee. David Bauer was treasurer for Friends of Williams.

The parties violated the Political Reform Act as follows:

Nielsen, Taxpayers for Nielsen and Bell: Made an earmarked, over-the-limit contribution to Friends of Williams totaling $4,320 in the name of Tehama GOP, filed a campaign statement for the reporting period of January 1 through June 30, 2012, erroneously reporting information regarding that contribution;

Nielsen: Knowingly received a gift of tickets to an NBA basketball game arranged by lobbying firm Sloat Higgins Jensen & Associates;

Williams, Friends of Williams and Bauer: Accepted an over-the-limit contribution from Taxpayers for Nielsen totaling $4,320, filed a campaign statement for the reporting period of May 20 through June 30, 2012, erroneously reporting information regarding that contribution;

Tehama GOP and Marsh: While acting as the intermediary of Taxpayers for Nielsen, failed to disclose both the intermediary and the original contributor information for a $4,320 contribution from Taxpayers for Nielsen to Friends of Williams;

Tehama GOP, Marsh, and Alston: Filed an original and an amended campaign statement erroneously reporting that Tehama GOP made a contribution to Friends of Williams, instead of disclosing that Tehama GOP was the intermediary for the contribution made by Taxpayers for Nielsen to Friends of Williams.

Nielsen - Stip and Exh