Ethics commission votes to fine Democratic primary candidate

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Maine Ethics Commission has voted to fine a Democratic candidate for governor due to her failure to file timely and complete campaign finance reports.

Ethics commission staff had found earlier this month that former state representative Diane Russell^[1] didn’t provide enough detail on campaign expenditures she listed only as “travel,” ”meals” or other expenses. The Portland Press Herald reports the commission staff had not recommended a fine against Russell^[2] because the law does not prescribe penalties for such violations.

The commission voted Wednesday to hand down a $300 fine.

Russell^[3] is one of seven Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for governor on June 12. She previously took responsibility for any discrepancies in her campaign finance forms.

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