Fine time: Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters may owe $9,500 for 2014 Mather votes

After a two-year investigation into votes she made regarding development of Mather Field, Sacramento County Supervisor Susan Peters may have to pay a $9,500 fine for violating the state’s conflict of interest policies.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission will decide the District 3 supervisor’s fate at its November 17 meeting. The proposed fine is listed for approval along with other items on the FPPC’s consent calendar, which is usually adopted with one procedural vote.

The fine would be levied for votes Peters cast in 2014 to approve an abatement and demolition project and a conveyance of land from the former U.S. Air Force base at Mather Field. According to an FPPC staff report, Peters “made governmental decisions in which she had a financial interest in real property located within 500 feet from the boundary of the Mather Field Airport.”

The FPPC declined comment as the final decision to approve the fine is still technically pending.

Peters, who has faced media criticism since the FPPC investigation began, responded to SN&R’s request for comment with a written statement that acknowledged wrongdoing, but downplayed the effect her votes had and shifted blame to county counsel:

“I have consistently sought advice from Sacramento County Counsel on my ability to vote regarding Mather-related issues,” the statement read. “Over the years that guidance has determined when to vote on numerous items and not participate on others. On two of those matters, I thought it was appropriate for me to vote on them; however, the FPPC disagreed. Neither vote changed the outcome of either issue since both were ultimately supported unanimously by the Board of Supervisors.

“There was never intent on my part to run afoul of the FPPC rules and I regret making the error. I continue to review items carefully to avoid even the perception of making a similar mistake.”

The FPPC meeting begins 1 p.m. on November 17, at 428 J Street, Suite 800.