Abby Nadeau
Staff Writer

Due to making a pre-hearing phone call, former Forest Lake City Council candidate Barbara Sterns has possibly avoided a $5000 fine and criminal prosecution.

Following the 2006 election Sterns failed to return a basic campaign financial report that is required by state law.

According to Minnesota Statute 211A.02 each county, municipal or school district candidate must report their campaign expenditures to the city's filing officer.

All candidates must report that they have "not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding $750 in the calendar year."

If the candidate has spent or received over $750 they must report where all the dollars were spent and received. If the candidate did not spend more than $750 they still must report to the city that they did not spend over $750.

Sterns, who unsuccessfully ran for the four-year council position in November, failed to report any type of campaign financial report.

Forest Lake Deputy Clerk Chantal Doriott notified Sterns on three different occasions of her violation, yet Sterns failed to provide any supporting documents.

Then on December 14, 2006 the city was required by state law to file a complaint with the Office of Administrative Hearings stating Sterns violated Minnesota State Statutes.

Prior to a evidentiary hearing, the state offered Sterns a pre-hearing conference call to try and resolve the issue before it came to a hearing.

On Tuesday, Feb. 6 Sterns and Doriott, along with a clerk from the Office of Administrative Hearings, met over the phone to discuss the issue.

Doriott said Sterns seemed to have simply misunderstood the document.

"I told her to bring in her receipts and booklet and I would help her fill out the form," Doriott said.

If Sterns fills out the form before February 20 the city has the right to reclaim the complaint against Sterns, resolving the issue.

If Sterns fails to return the form by February 20 the issue will go to a pre-trial hearing.

If the hearing goes to the evidentiary hearing, the administrative law judges have three options. They can either "dismiss the complaint, issue a reprimand or impose a civil penalty of up to $5000."

The judges may also "refer the complaint to the appropriate county attorney for criminal prosecution."

Top of Page