ETHICS PANEL LEVIES FINE AGAINST VILLARAIGOSA.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Ethics Commission approved fining Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa $5,100 for 2001 mayoral campaign violations, despite questions from Commission President Gil Garcetti over whether the punishment was excessive.

Garcetti pressed staff members over their decision to fine Villaraigosa or others for what he said appeared to be technical mistakes.

``At what point do you decide to levy a fine, and when is it decided a mistake?'' Garcetti asked.

Staffers said they believed they had to follow a consistent policy in order to avoid charges of favoritism if an audit finds violations. But Garcetti said he wanted to have further discussions on the commission's role in determining whether and when fines are levied.

Commissioner Bill Boyarsky said he was concerned about hamstringing the staff.

``I don't want us to do anything to limit the staff's work,'' Boyarsky said.

Villaraigosa's fine was based on 13 contributions - out of more than 13,000 he received - that exceeded the city's $1,000-per-donor campaign limit. For the campaign, Villaraigosa raised more than $7.7 million.

The donations came from several sources, including Killer Tomato Entertainment, Absolute Court Reporting, FDC/Integrated Payment Systems and the financial consulting firm Sanli Pastore and Hill.

Villaraigosa could have been fined as much as $30,000, but officials said they agreed to the lower amount because he had no past violations.

Earlier this year, the commission fined Mayor James Hahn more than $53,000 for 64 campaign finance violations in the election.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com