Government Code section 89514

(a)

Expenditures of campaign funds for attorney’s fees and other costs in connection with administrative, civil, or criminal litigation are not directly related to a political, legislative, or governmental purpose except where the litigation is directly related to activities of a committee that are consistent with its primary objectives or arises directly out of a committee’s activities or out of a candidate’s or elected officer’s activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected officer, including, but not limited to, an action to enjoin defamation, defense of an action to enjoin defamation, defense of an action brought for a violation of state or local campaign, disclosure, or election laws, and an action arising from an election contest or recount.

(b)

Notwithstanding subdivision (a), campaign funds shall not be used to reimburse expenditures for attorney’s fees and other costs in connection with criminal litigation if the litigation results in a conviction of the candidate or elected officer for a felony described in Section 20 of the Elections Code, or for a felony involving fraud.

Source: Section 89514, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=89514.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2025; accessed Jun. 25, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 25, 2025

§ 89514's source at ca​.gov