A new state law will require candidates who use campaign funds to defend themselves from felony public crimes or election fraud and are later convicted to return that money.
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, who sponsored the bill AB 2803, said the need for the law became apparent after former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu used $300,000 from his campaign account for the 2022 election cycle to hire his defense attorney.
“Campaign funds are intended to be used for broadcasting and communicating your public policy message,” Valencia said. “You breaking that public trust is your own doing.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law on Wednesday, Sept. 25. It requires candidates who use campaign funds to cover legal costs related to claims of felony political crimes or felony fraud to reimburse their campaign account in entirety.
Valencia said it’s not right for people being charged with a serious crime to use their campaign money. Valencia said people and organizations that donate to a candidate’s campaign don’t expect the funds to be used for criminal defense.
Crimes covered under the law include embezzlement of public money, theft of public money and perjury.
The FBI recorded Sidhu telling people he expected to solicit a $1 million campaign contribution from the Angels after the city’s sale of Angel Stadium went through. That stadium deal was ultimately canceled by the city in 2022.
Sidhu pleaded guilty in 2023 to corruption charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec 13.
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