By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO. – The Missouri Ethics Commission has levied a fine of more than $100,000 against the Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee, for campaign finance violations during the 2002 elections.
The committee is required to pay 60,000 by the end of July. The rest of the fine would be suspended if the committee makes no more missteps through the 2008 election year.
Democratic Party spokesman Jack Cardetti attributes most of the violations to a lack of proper record keeping. He says the committee now has different officials and a better tracking system.
Congressman Russ Carnahan, who at the time of the infractions was a state House member, also was fined $600 for signing checks for the committee that he wasn't authorized to sign.
The fine is among the largest ever from the ethics commission, and it comes as lawmakers debate whether to change the campaign finance system