Mormon Church Fined In Connection With Anti-Gay Marriage Campaign

[Ian David]

Source: CBS News

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been ordered to pay a small fine for failing to properly report about $37,000 in contributions on behalf the successful effort to pass Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in California.

According to the Deseret News, the Church has agreed to pay a $5,539 fine to California's Fair Political Practices Commission for late reporting of contributions (including staff time) to help the "Yes on 8" committee, pending final approval from commissioners.

A church spokesman told the newspaper that while "all institutional contributions made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the ProtectMarriage Coalition were reported to the appropriate authorities in California," the church overlooked daily reporting requirements in the last two weeks before the vote and did not report contributions during that period until later.

<snip>

While the Fair Political Practices Commission could have assessed a $5,000 fine for each violation, it reportedly opted for a streamlined process that resulted in a deal with the church for the $5,539 fine.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20007269-503544.html

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[xchrom]

1. i hope it breaks the bank. nt

[moblsv]

2. tax status

It's time to revoke the tax exempt status for these corporate political organizations masquerading as churches.

[laconicsax]

4. If we do that, they can openly funnel as much money as they want into political campaigns.

IMHO, that would be a lot worse.

[GentryDixon]

3. Bagley is a hoot.

I am in that crowd somewhere. My sister & I were part of the protest before the vote.