DA won’t probe Rabbitt campaign finance violations

<p>Complaints against Councilmember David Rabbitt's campaign accounting are too old to be investigated, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney's office.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Petaluma Tomorrow, a group devoted to slow growth principles and open government, accused Rabbitt of filing misleading campaign finance documents and carrying debt past the 30-day limit specified in Petaluma's campaign finance reform ordinance. The measure, sponsored by Petaluma Tomorrow, passed in 2004 with 66 percent of the vote.</p><p>The state's Fair Political Practices Commission determined recently that the alleged violations did occur, and told Rabbitt to correct the campaign statements by April 19 or incur fines.</p><p>But a district attorney office spokesperson said that the reports, which are three years old, are not significant enough to be investigated because they extend past the one-year statute of limitations.</p><p>“We're auditing the books and we're going to correct what's needed,” said Rabbitt.</p><p>Rabbitt said that the reports were a simple error that he takes responsibility for, but that carrying debt is not uncommon among candidates. He has called Petaluma Tomorrow's investigation politically motivated. The group is backing his opponent, Mayor Pam Torliatt, in the race for Councy Supervisor.</p><p>“He can attack the messenger or attack our motives all he wants, but the fact remains that he has been violating the law,” said Andrew Packard of Petaluma Tomorrow. The group will seek a reconsideration from the district attorney's office on their decision, he said.</p>