From Elizabeth Bluemink in Anchorage --

The Alaska Public Offices Commission is deliberating today in Juneau on whether to settle a campaign-finance law complaint filed against Anchorage businessman Bob Gillam and several advocacy groups for how they funneled money to a 2008 ballot-measure fight involving Pebble.

In October, APOC turned down a proposed $35,000 settlement of the case.

In today's hearing, the APOC panel listened to lawyers for both sides argue over whether the panel should accept a proposed $60,000 settlement. In a recent filing, APOC staff say they support a settlement believe it shouldn't be any less than $100,000.

"Given the large sums of money involved, a fine of only $60,000 will not provide sufficient deterrance to these particular respondents, nor will it send a message to the general public that APOC will take similar allegations seriously," according to the filing, signed by a state attorney working on behalf of the commission.

The $12.5 milllion fight over Ballot Measure 4 was the most expensive political ad war in state history. Pitting Pebble opponents against the mining industry, the proposed law sought to tighten water-pollution discharge rules for large mines. Alaskans voted it down in August 2008.

In the aftermath of the vote, both sides filed complaints against each other about alleged campaign-finance violations. This case, against Gillam and anti-Pebble groups, was filed by the companies seeking to develop Pebble and the Resource Development Council. They say that Gillam -- the architect and biggest single donor to Measure 4 -- hid much of his donations to the campaign in violation of state law.