Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET

The Federal Election Commission says former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards must pay back the government $2.3 million because his 2008 campaign was given too much in matching funds.

The 6-0 ruling came down this morning during the commission's public hearing.

The FEC audited the 2008 campaign of Edwards, who is facing felony charges in a separate legal matter stemming from the cover up of his affair with Rielle Hunter.

In its review, the FEC staff found Edwards received more than $2.1 million in federal matching funds than he was entitled to and nearly $142,000 in "stale-dated checks," which were sent to donors but never cashed.

Edwards' lawyers have maintained that the Democrat doesn't owe the government any money. In its response to the audit, Edwards' lawyers said the campaign has incurred "unanticipated expenses, including additional staff and legal costs" which should be considered qualified campaign expenses.

The FEC ruling adds to Edwards' woes. The 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate pleaded not guilty in June to charges that he accepted more than $1 million from campaign donors in order to hide his extramarital affair. Four of the six charges are related to campaign finance laws.

Edwards has about $2.6 million left in his 2008 presidential account, according to his most recent campaign finance report.

White House candidates have to meet certain requirements to receive federal matching funds, which are financed by taxpayers who check off a box on their tax forms authorizing a $3 donation.

In 2008, Edwards lagged far behind Democratic primary rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton in fundraising. He received nearly $13 million in public money for his campaign, according to the Associated Press.

FEC audits are required of presidential candidates who accept public money for their campaigns.