Larimer GOP Gets Break On Campaign Finance Fines

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- The Larimer County Republican Party is getting a break from the Secretary of State for campaign finance violations after arguing it was the victim of criminal actions by its former chairman.

The party had the fine reduced to about $16,000 on Friday. The party faced more than $48,000 in fines for not filing campaign finance reports last year.

State elections division director Judd Choate said the failure to file reports was not willful.

Former party Chairman Larry Carillo was arrested last month on a charge of theft, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

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