Ohio GOP agrees to pay $13,000 fine

Party failed to meet federal election law on debt reporting

3/12/2012

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Republican Party has agreed to pay $13,000 in federal fines for improperly failing to disclose $1.2 million in debt during the 2007-2008 campaign season.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Monday the Ohio GOP and the Federal Elections Commission negotiated the fine last month regarding late payments to five vendors. Elections rule require reporting of such obligations of over $500 on the day they are incurred.

The agreement with the commission says party representatives were unaware of the rule.

Ohio Republican Party spokesman Chris Maloney says the party began working with federal officials to remedy the problem as soon as it was discovered.

The party also will have its federal elections reports reviewed by an outside attorney for two years.

The debts were paid in 2008 and reported in 2010.