State threatens legal action for lawmaker’s unpaid $4,500 fine

followed around the city by a Gonzalez campaign truck that was covered with Gonzalez posters and whose speakers blasted music and ads for her. Gannon accused Gonzalez’s campaign of a “pattern” of intimidation. Gonzalez has denied that allegation.

In the case related to the 2006 election, a city resident filed a complaint with the Elections Enforcement Commission saying he saw Gonzalez talking with several people in Spanish as they filled out absentee ballots at City Hall. State law prohibits candidates from being present when people fill out absentee ballots, with a few exceptions.

After a hearing, an official with the commission issued the $4,500 fine for four violations of state law. Gonzalez appealed to Superior Court, and a judge overturned part of the commission official’s findings.

Gonzalez appealed to the state Appellate Court, alleging the commission official prejudged her case and the Superior Court judge made a series of mistakes. Gonzalez also claimed there was a lack of substantial evidence against her.

Athree-judge panel of the Appellate Court unanimously rejected Gonzalez’s appeal and upheld all of the commission official’s findings.

Gonzalez’s failure to pay the fine six years after her appeal was rejected flouts the law, weakens its deterrence and sends a bad message to other political candidates, said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, a nonpartisan advocacy group for open and accountable government.

“Certainly there needs to be consequences to breaking the law,” she said. “If you don’t abide by the rules, it weakens the whole system.”