Isle Dems face big fine linked to 2012 election

State Democrats are bracing for what is expected to be the largest fine ever imposed on the Hawaii party by the Federal Elections Commission for a series of alleged violations of federal campaign regulations during the 2012 election cycle.

Party officials declined to discuss details of the case because it is ongoing, but a source familiar with the FEC investigation said the alleged violations center on technical bookkeeping and money-handling errors as the party supported Democratic candidates during its coordinated campaign in 2012.

The Hawaii Democrats’ coordinated campaigns are launched during most election cycles to raise and pool money, which is then distributed to support party candidates in targeted races.

Federal fines in the ongoing case are expected to amount to tens of thousands of dollars, and one observer said the total might reach as high as the “low six figures.”

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