Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

LEXINGTON (WACH) --  Sen. Jake Knotts is being reprimanded again.  This time, for failing to report campaign contributions.

The State Ethics Committee says Sen. Knotts didn't report almost $27,000 in contributions, and that he accepted almost $24,000 above what the law allows from individuals and groups.

The Ethics Committee is recommending Knotts return some of the cash to his contributors and correct his financial disclosure statement.

State Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Senator Wes Hayes released a statement Tuesday.

"I've been chairman 10 years and we've never issued a public reprimand.  It's a serious step," he says.  "We felt a reprimand and paying back the money was the appropriate action to take."

Read the entire public reprimand and the findings from the ethics committee.

Lexington County GOP leadership reprimanded Knotts back in June for calling gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley and President Obama "ragheads."

WACH Fox News called Sen. Knotts for comment Tuesday.  We were unable to leave a message because his voicemail was full.