San Diego State University Foundation used Bill Lowery-Jerry Lewis connection

San Diego — The San Diego State University Foundation, which has changed its name to the San Diego State University Research Foundation, has been involved with more than its share of unsavory political practices in an unending search for big government grants. There was Bill Lowery, the ex-GOP congressman turned lobbyist whom the foundation hired to help it snag millions of dollars in "homeland security" grants. That was thanks to Lowery's close friend and fellow Republican, San Bernardino congressman Jerry Lewis, who quietly tucked the foundation's bequests into bills in the form of "earmarks." Now comes the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which has accused the foundation of failing to file a "major donor" statement disclosing two contributions totaling $12,500 it made in the first half of last year to "Californians for Higher Education, Proposition 1D," the multibillion-dollar ballot measure approved by voters last June. The fine, agreed upon with the nonprofit foundation in a stipulation to be heard by commissioners next month, won't put much of a dent in the foundation's treasury. The fine is just $400.