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Cachola to pay fine for campaign spending violation

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  • Opponents could be using the inquiry to discredit him

State Rep. Romy Cachola agreed to pay a $2,496 fine and reimburse his campaign $32,166 to settle a complaint filed against him by the Campaign Spending Commission.

The commission charged that Cachola used a Nissan SUV, paid for by his campaign committee, for personal use. It also questioned his use of campaign funds to pay for expenditures labeled as “public relations” and “food and beverages.”

Cachola has already made $28,245 in reimbursements to his campaign committee and will need to pay the $3,871 difference, in addition to the fine.

Cachola (D, Sand Island-Kalihi-Airport) did not appear at Thursday’s commission meeting. His attorney, Michael Green, noted that the agreement between Cachola and commission executive director Kristin Izumi-Nitao states his client “did not knowingly, intentionally or recklessly” violate campaign financing laws.

Besides the fines and reimbursements, Cachola is agreeing to comply with campaign financing laws from here on out, including keeping a mileage log for the SUV.

Cachola, a former Honolulu City Council member, is running unopposed in his House reelection bid this year.

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