Fresno County Supervisor Candidate Eric Payne Owes $53,000 in Fines: FPPC

Eric Payne said any issues over fines for violating campaign finance law are behind him. But the state agency charged with enforcing campaign finance law, the Fair Political Practices Commission, says he still owes a considerable amount.

“I’ve addressed this matter with the FPPC directly. I took responsibility. It was resolved, full stop,” Payne told GV Wire.

As of last month, an FPPC spokesperson said “the outstanding balance is $53,629,” stemming from the fine imposed in 2019.

Payne is running for Fresno County supervisor in District 1.

When asked how he resolved the matter, Payne said, “What I’ve done is I’ve worked with the FPPC on the matter directly. And it sits with the FPPC. I accepted responsibility. It was resolved. I have moved forward.”

Payne would not directly answer whether he paid the fines, repeating that he addressed the matter six years ago.

“I’ve taken this seriously from day one. In responding to the agency, I’ve been transparent, responsive, and submitted all the proper documents. That’s exactly what voters expect. That was a lesson learned, but this campaign has the best and brightest managing our compliance and treasury,” Payne said.

Payne’s 2026 campaign filings list Sacramento-based River City Business Services as handling compliance for his campaign.

Case Remains on Sacramento County Court Docket

Records show the FPPC filed an application for clerk’s judgment with the Sacramento County Superior Court in 2019. The court entered the judgment for $54,000 on Nov. 15, 2019.

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.

“As far as our collection process, the FPPC’s 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,” FPPC spokesperson Shery Yang said.

The FPPC did not elaborate what steps it has taken to collect the fines.

Prior Campaign Violations

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.

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.

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.

As reported by GV Wire at the time, Payne failed to file semiannual statements, failed to report contributions, and misused campaign funds.

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 “he did not want to wear tennis shoes and shorts” to a gala event.

The FPPC also accused Payne of failing to report his income for several years on documents elected officials are required to file.

Payne’s Central Valley Urban Institute

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 “FTB suspended” notice for the institute is on the Secretary of State database.

According to the Franchise Tax Board, that means a business does not have the right or privilege to conduct business in California. The listing also has states that the nonprofit was delinquent in filing subsequent statement of information forms.

However, Payne told GV Wire that he dissolved CVUI as an independent group and the nonprofit operates under the umbrella of Helping Others Pursue Excellence. HOPE confirmed it is the fiscal agent for the institute.

Ballots have been mailed for the election, which concludes June 2. Payne and five other candidates — Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi, Kerman Mayor Maria Pacheco, Firebaugh City Councilmember Felipe Perez, West Hills Community College District Trustee Omar Hernandez, and Mendota Unified Trustee Lupe Flores — are also running. Incumbent Brian Pacheco is not seeking re-election, opting instead to run for state Assembly.

Karbassi has faced two FPPC complaints: a 2020 case that was closed within a month with no action taken for failing to timely file forms, and a complaint filed this year by Matthew Gillian, Maria Pacheco’s campaign manager. Gillian claims Karbassi is misusing public funds, an allegation Karbassi vehemently denies. The FPPC portal lists no complaints against the other candidates.

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