SIMI VALLEY : Developer Donation Ruled a Violation

The California Fair Political Practices Commission has determined that newly elected Simi Valley Councilwoman Barbara Williamson broke the law when she accepted a developer’s $500 campaign donation, but the agency has decided not to impose a penalty.

“We have closed the case because she turned herself in, returned the contribution and has had no prior history of violating the Political Reform Act,� commission spokeswoman JeanetteTurvill said Friday.

She said a letter notifying Williamson of the commission’s decision was sent several days earlier.

The commission has the authority to levy a fine of up to $2,000 per violation.

Williamson, a bank vice president who was elected to the council Nov. 3, said shortly after the election that Simi Valley officials told her about a possible violation.

It concerned a donation she received from Casden Co. of Beverly Hills.

A month before receiving the donation, Williamson, as a planning commissioner, voted in favor of a Shell gas station at Yosemite Avenue and the Simi Valley Freeway.

The councilwoman said she was unaware that Casden had a financial interest in the Shell site when she accepted the money.

State law requires an appointed planning commissioner to wait at least three months before accepting a donation of more than $250 from any party whose project has come before the panel.

“I was just politically naive,� Williamson said at the time.