Maine's campaign finance regulators voted Wednesday to fine Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon’s now-dissolved political action committee for contributions made in her name three years ago. But the Maine Ethics Commission declined to investigate the matter further.
The Commission fined Gideon's PAC $500 for violating a law designed to prevent donations from being made in the name of another person.
The three commissioners said that Gideon's violation was not designed to deceive the public because it was clear that Gideon intended to report the reimbursements from her PAC, which aligns with findings by the commission's staff. But Republican activists were quick to highlight the commission's ruling because Gideon is one of three Democrats vying to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins next year.
The donations are also the subject of complaints filed with the Federal Elections Commission, although it's unclear when the matter will be adjudicated because the FEC board doesn't have enough members for a quorum.
Originally published Oct. 30, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
