Lieberman '06 campaign to pay fine

WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- The campaign for Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind.-Conn., agreed to pay a $50,000 fine for campaign finance violations, the Federal Election Commission said Friday.

The FEC determined the Friends of Joe Lieberman committee and committee treasurer Lynn Fusco violated campaign finance laws in 2006 by making payments to get-out-the-vote canvassers of more than $100 in cash, the commission said in a news release. Under FEC law, disbursements to individuals over $100 must be made by check.

The violations are related to Lieberman's filings during his 2006 campaign against Democratic challenger Ned Lamont, The Hill reported. Lamont defeated Lieberman in the Democratic primary but Lieberman, running as an Independent, defeated Lamont in the general election.

The complaint also alleged the committee and Fusco didn't disclose payments of more than $200 to individuals and didn't maintain a written record detailing all disbursements made through the fund.

The commission said it found reason to believe the respondents violated federal election campaign laws. In a conciliation agreement, Friends of Joe Lieberman agreed to pay a civil penalty of $50,000 and amend campaign finance reports.

The FEC did not find Lieberman engaged in any wrongdoing, The Hill said.

Lieberman spokeswoman Erika Masonhall said the violations were limited to the disbursements and record-keeping errors.

"Senator Lieberman regrets those errors and will take all steps to ensure that it never happens again," Masonhall said.

In other matters, the FEC dismissed a case, found no reason to believe violations occurred in three matters and sent a letter of caution but took no further action on another issue.