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<\/a><\/p>\nPayne is running for Fresno County supervisor in District 1.<\/p>\n
When asked how he resolved the matter, Payne said, \u201cWhat I\u2019ve done is I\u2019ve worked with the FPPC on the matter directly. And it sits with the FPPC. I accepted responsibility. It was resolved. I have moved forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Payne would not directly answer whether he paid the fines, repeating that he addressed the matter six years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve taken this seriously from day one. In responding to the agency, I\u2019ve been transparent, responsive, and submitted all the proper documents. That\u2019s exactly what voters expect. That was a lesson learned, but this campaign has the best and brightest managing our compliance and treasury,\u201d Payne said.<\/p>\n
Payne\u2019s 2026 campaign filings list Sacramento-based River City Business Services as handling compliance for his campaign.<\/p>\n
Case Remains on Sacramento County Court Docket<\/p>\n
Records show the FPPC filed an application for clerk\u2019s judgment with the Sacramento County Superior Court in 2019. The court entered the judgment for $54,000 on Nov. 15, 2019.<\/p>\n
The docket shows the case was reassigned in 2023 and updated in 2025, listing Judge Christopher E. Krueger as handling the case. It does not indicate why the case reappeared after four years. The latest entry, dated April 13, reflects a new venue for the case: the recently opened Tani G. Cantil Sakauye Courthouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as our collection process, the FPPC\u2019s Administration Division oversees the collections process and attempts to collect outstanding fines. They work with the Franchise Tax Board for tax intercepts. Liens are placed on real property and renewed every 10 years,\u201d FPPC spokesperson Shery Yang said.<\/p>\n
The FPPC did not elaborate what steps it has taken to collect the fines.<\/p>\n
Prior Campaign Violations<\/p>\n
Currently a nonprofit executive with the Central Valley Urban Institute, Payne served two terms on the State Center Community College District board from 2012 to 2020. He lost his bid for a third term in 2020.<\/p>\n
During his time as an SCCCD trustee, Payne was investigated and fined by the FPPC. Several investigations examined whether Payne properly paid fees and spent campaign money appropriately.<\/p>\n
In 2019, the FPPC fined Payne $66,000 for various violations. The FPPC board eventually reduced the fine by $12,000. Payne has paid $371 so far, the FPPC said.<\/p>\n
As reported by GV Wire<\/a> at the time, Payne failed to file semiannual statements, failed to report contributions, and misused campaign funds.<\/p>\n For example, the FPPC said Payne spent $471.50 in campaign funds to purchase clothing from Nordstrom Rack for noncampaign purposes. Campaign law prohibits such purchases with election funds. Payne told investigators at the time \u201che did not want to wear tennis shoes and shorts\u201d to a gala event.<\/p>\n The FPPC also accused Payne of failing to report his income for several years on documents elected officials are required to file.<\/p>\n Payne\u2019s Central Valley Urban Institute<\/p>\n Payne filed articles of incorporation for a nonprofit public benefit corporation for the Central Valley Urban Institute with the California secretary of state in 2020. An \u201cFTB suspended\u201d notice for the institute is on the Secretary of State database.<\/p>\n According to the Franchise Tax Board, that means a business does not have the right or privilege to conduct business in California<\/a>.\u00a0The listing also has states that the nonprofit was delinquent in filing subsequent statement of information forms.<\/p>\n