The California Fair Political Practices Commission has fined Madera's mayor $200 for failing to report on his annual financial disclosure form that the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians paid for his flight to Washington, D.C. in May 2008.

Mayor Gary Svanda, who was a city councilman at the time, made the trip to the capital to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs about the benefits of the tribe's proposed casino near Madera.

He told the committee that he was speaking on behalf of the City Council even though the council was divided on the casino project and some council members didn't find out about the trip until after Svanda returned.

The Bee first reported on Svanda's trip in September 2009. It found that the tribe reimbursed Svanda for the flight, but Svanda never reported that fact on his financial disclosure statements as is legally required for elected officials.

When reached by phone on Tuesday, Svanda hung up before a reporter could ask him a question.

"I just don't have time to talk but thank you for calling," he said.