THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509090269
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
U.S. Rep. Norman Sisisky's political organization has paid a $6,500 fine to federal authorities after agreeing that it failed to properly report a loan from Sisisky last fall.
The Federal Election Commission disclosed the violation and payment this week. It released documents indicating that a $50,000 loan from Sisisky to his re-election campaign fund last November was not disclosed by the campaign until 30 days after the Nov. 8 general election.
Election laws require the disclosure of such large, last-minute loans or donations within 48 hours of their receipt by a campaign. The prompt reporting is designed to make sure that before going to the polls, voters are aware of late attempts to influence the election.
Alice Alonge, a spokesman for Sisisky, said Friday that the loan was not reported immediately because campaign workers thought the law applied only to contributions. When the commission pointed out the violation, the campaign agreed to pay the penalty, she said.
Sisisky, 68, a Petersburg Democrat, represents the 4th District, including portions of Portsmouth and Chesapeake. His race last year was his toughest in several terms, but he received 62 percent of the vote in the contest with Republican George Sweet, the pastor of a Virginia Beach church. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sisisky
by CNB