Ex-Superintendent to Pay $2,000 Fine for Violating Campaign Laws

On Thursday, the state Public Disclosure Commission determined that former Sumner Superintendent Gil Mendoza failed to comply with state political campaign laws and fined him for the violation.

Mendoza agreed to pay $2,000 of the $4,500 fine. The Commission suspended the additional $2,500 so long as Mendoza pays the remainder within two weeks of the ruling and doesn’t commit any other violations in the next four years.

The actions occurred during the 2011 school board race, due to . The PDC complaint was filed by Board president Sherm Voiles.

When the PDC reached a resolution on Thursday, it was determined Mendoza committed the following acts:

• He paid for and distributed more than 24,000 mailings supporting Paul Buchich, Casey Chamberlain and Rick Hendricks, while opposing two other candidates. All three are current board members but were up for election at that time.
• The mailers were signed Citizens Advocating a Responsible Education System (CARES) and did not include Mendoza’s name.
• He spent more than $8,000 on the project.
• After the PDC investigation began, Mendoza filed his required paperwork 14 days late.