WINTEC FINED

Wintec of Palm Springs is to pay a $14,000 fine to California instead of fighting charges that it illegally contributed campaign money to a local politician. The wind company is accused by the Fair Political Practices Commission of $7,000 of "contribution laundering" made to Riverside County Commissioner Norton Younglove's 1990 campaign. "We admit no guilt," Wintec's Miles Barrett told the Desert Sun newspaper. He says Wintec agreed to pay the fine as it would have cost the company $30,000-50,000 in legal fees to defend itself against a $14,000 fine. Wintec's decision, called a default, must be ratified by the state commission. Only about two or three defaults are seen in the state out of 36 to 48 cases of so-called contribution laundering a year, a commission spokesperson told the Sun.