Rubio raised nearly $21 million for his 2010 Senate race, FEC records show. Rubio fined over improper donations

The Federal Election Commission has fined Sen. Marco Rubio $8,000 for accepting more than $210,000 in improper contributions during his 2010 run for the Senate.

In a negotiated settlement finalized last month but only publicly released now, Marco Rubio for Senate acknowledged taking in more than $210,000 in “prohibited, excessive and other impermissible contributions” during his Senate campaign and failing to refund or “redesignate” the funds within the allowed time frame.


Even after an internal audit, the Rubio campaign failed to identify more than $83,000 in improper or incorrectly characterized contributions, according to a March 19 agreement between the campaign and the FEC.

An FEC review showed that the improper donations came from more than 100 individuals, and in two cases, the campaign accepted corporate contributions, which are illegal. Marco Rubio for Senate also accepted nearly $26,000 for the primary race even after the primary election was already over.

Rubio raised nearly $21 million for his 2010 Senate race, FEC records show, and the improper contributions – while large overall – represent only a fraction of what Rubio raised during the campaign.

Rubio is viewed as a leading candidate for the GOP vice presidential nomination this year, and any action by the FEC – even a relatively minor one like Friday’s announcement – is likely to bring renewed scrutiny to the Florida Republican.

A spokesman for Rubio could not be reached immediately for comment.