COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard has agreed to pay $48,400 In fines to resolve charges the state Ethics Commission brought as it investigated his use of campaign account money for personal and other expenses.
Ard said in a prepared statement Thursday that his settlement will also include $12,121 in reimbursements to his campaign account and $12,500 to cover costs tied to the investigation.
Ard said he all along promised to take responsibility and planned to continue working as lieutenant governor.
State ethics investigators alleged that Ard violated ethics laws 106 times by spending money for things unrelated to his campaign. The potential fine was more than $200,000.
Campaign finance reports showed Ard's spending on meals, a family vacation to Washington, computer equipment and a gown for his wife.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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