A spokesman for the Republican Governor's Association says they agreed to settle a campaign finance lawsuit filed by the state of Vermont to avoid costly litigation that could have taken two years.
RGA spokesman Jon Thompson says that, as Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell noted, the RGA acted in good faith and they maintain no laws were violated.
The settlement announced Friday found the RGA, and losing 2010 gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie, violated campaign finance laws by exceeding the $6,000 limit on contributions from political action committees.
The RGA will pay a civil penalty of $30,000. Dubie will pay a civil penalty of $10,000 and make a $10,000 contribution to charity.
The state's complaint determined the Dubie campaign shared polling data with the RGA that led to unreported media expenditures.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.