The state Fair Political Practices Commission will undertake an investigation of Fortuna Mayor John Campbell, according to a press release sent out this afternoon by Mark Lovelace of the Humboldt Watershed Council.

The investigation, in response to an HWC complaint, will center on whether or not Campbell has acted improperly by failing to disclose retirement benefits paid him by the Pacific Lumber Co., and whether or not he improperly failed to recuse himself from City Council discussions concerning redevelopment of the Fortuna Pacific Lumber mill.

We had a cover story on the issue back in September.

The FPPC is also investigating Humboldt County Planning Commission Chairman Tom Herman, who in private life is an attorney retained by Pacific Lumber. (Before becoming an attorney, Herman was a forester for Pacific Lumber and a vice president of the company.) The Herman investigation also stemmed from a complaint to the FPPC by the Humboldt Watershed Council.

In 2005, the FPPC cleared Humboldt County Supervisor Roger Rodoni of conflict of interest charges stemming from his financial relationship with Pacific Lumber.

Humboldt Watershed Council's FPPC complaint re: Campbell (.pdf)

FPPC letter confirming investigation (.pdf)