"There's the danger of it getting out of hand again," said Bette Maffucci, who has acted as treasurer for several candidates.

Authority members decided to recommend that campaigns provide envelopes for the fishbowl contributions.

Assistant City Attorney Kathryn Walker told committee members that they did not have subpoena power for investigations. But she said they could have a policy that if candidates do not provide documentation for EA investigations of alleged violations that that failure could automatically result in presenting their allegations to the Cleveland County district attorney's office.

Persons who knowingly or willfully violate the ordinance can be punished by a fine of $50 to $750 and/or up to 60 days in the county jail.

The EA recommendations will go before the city council for final approval at an upcoming meeting.

Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com