Staff: Kevin Cornwall, Senior Commission Counsel. The Respondents are represented by Robert A. Curtis of Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, LLP. James Knell owns the businesses identified as respondents in this matter. Through his businesses, Knell contributed over $40,000 to four campaign committees controlled by candidates running for the Santa Barbara City Council. Knell exceeded local campaign contributions and failed to timely file two major donor statements, in violation of Government Code Section 84200(b) (2 counts), and failed to timely file a 24-Hour Report, in violation of Government Code Section 84203 (1 count). Total Proposed Penalty: $12,000.
