PAC treasurer faces fines

Former Chico City Councilman David Guzzetti is facing $24,000 in fines for allegedly using a political action committee’s campaign funds for personal use, including gambling, dining and groceries.

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is expected to levy the penalty at its Dec. 21 monthly meeting. According to documents available on the agency’s website, Guzzetti allegedly used $11,917 from the Chico Conservation Voters PAC between August 2012 and January 2015, while serving as the PAC’s treasurer and co-chair. The FPPC charges that Guzzetti didn’t report or misreported expenditures on approximately 148 occasions, violations of the Political Reform Act.

The FPPC’s summary notes Guzzetti cooperated with its investigation, and submitted a note from his doctor saying that health problems—including liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease and chronic hepatic encephalopathy—caused memory lapses and cognitive difficulties during that period.

Guzzetti declined to speak with the CN&R, citing the advice of his attorney.