Fresno County supervisor candidate owes more than $53,000 in fines

$53,629 in campaign finance penalties still hangs over Eric Payne as he campaigns for Fresno County supervisor, a figure that sharpens the question voters in District 1 are likely to ask: how does a candidate who wants to oversee public decisions explain unresolved fines tied to following the rules himself?

The Fair Political Practices Commission lists the outstanding balance from penalties imposed in 2019, and Payne told GV Wire the matter was “resolved” without saying whether he had actually paid the fines. That gap matters because Payne is running for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in District 1, where the winner will help shape budgets, land use and county services for west Fresno County.

The state case dates to a June 13, 2019 commission hearing on Payne’s 2016 State Center Community College District trustee campaign. Commissioners unanimously approved a reduced $25,000 individual fine for Payne, down from an original proposed $37,000 against him personally. The broader proposed total had been about $66,000 before reductions. FPPC records now show the remaining balance at $53,629.

The violations included late filings, failure to file required reports, inaccurate disclosure of contributions and personal income, and nearly $500 in campaign spending on clothing for Payne himself. FPPC staff told commissioners at the 2019 hearing that Payne had recently begun submitting the required forms, which helped reduce the fine. The commission minutes also note that staff discussed lien enforcement as an option if a penalty remained unpaid, a reminder that these fines can follow a respondent into court and other state enforcement channels.

The renewed scrutiny lands in a crowded and closely watched race. District 1 is open because Supervisor Brian Pacheco announced in December 2025 that he would not seek another term and instead would run for the State Assembly. The district includes Easton, Biola, Tranquility, Three Rocks, Cantua Creek, Kerman, San Joaquin, Firebaugh and Mendota. A March 5 forum at the Fresno City College West Fresno Center brought Payne and other candidates together, and GV Wire, CMAC and The Maddy Institute later hosted another District 1 forum with Payne, Lupe Flores, Mike Karbassi, Omar Hernandez, Maria Pacheco and Felipe Perez.

Ballotpedia says Payne left the State Center Community College District Governing Board on December 11, 2020. With six candidates expected on the June 2 primary ballot, the unpaid fine is no longer just an old ethics case. It is now part of the test voters will use to judge whether Payne is ready for the accountability that comes with countywide power.