DOVER, Del. (AP) - Former GOP Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell and her campaign committee have offered to pay a $10,000 civil penalty after a federal judge ruled that they violated federal campaign finance laws by using campaign contributions to pay her rent.
A court filing Wednesday indicates that the penalty would be split evenly between O'Donnell and Friends of Christine O'Donnell, and would be paid within 18 months.
A Federal Elections Commission lawyer noted that the commission, which is seeking a $25,000 penalty, is open to settlement negotiations, but that the defendants have not provided a full settlement offer with all material terms, and nothing in writing.
The judge ruled last week that O'Donnell improperly used campaign contributions to pay bills at a Delaware townhouse that also served as her 2010 campaign headquarters.
