Sen. Mike Braun is the Republican candidate for governor. Brandon Smith / IPB News
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun’s Senate campaign must pay a $159,000 civil penalty to the Federal Election Commission for violating campaign finance rules during the 2018 election.
The FEC announced the fine agreement this week. The Indianapolis Star first reported the penalty on Friday.
The FEC initially charged Brown’s campaign with illegally receiving fraudulent loans, but after the campaign submitted documents, the FEC determined that the violations were due to clerical errors by former Treasurer Travis Kabrick.
Thomas Dutwiler, Brown’s current campaign finance director, issued a statement saying the error was “largely due to an oversight by former treasurer Travis Kabrick.”
Brown spokesman Josh Kelley said Dutwiler is considering options to pay the fine “in light of Mr. Kabric’s error.”
Kabric’s phone number could not be found and he could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Brown is currently running for governor.