ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Federal Elections Commission has found that former Gov. Sarah Palin's political action committee gave excessive contributions to two well-known Republicans.
The problem is highlighted in a letter sent to SarahPAC treasurer Tim Crawford.
Crawford told The Anchorage Daily News that the problem has been fixed.
He said Sarah PAC has sorted out the $5,000 contributions to Sens. John McCain and Lisa Murkowski, and the campaigns have already refunded $200 each.
Crawford blamed the problems on election software used to deal with required disclosures.
Federal law allows political action committees to give candidates up to $5,000 per election if they meet certain conditions.
Lower limits of $2,400 per election can apply.
Crawford said SarahPAC has redesignated the $5,000 going to the McCain and Murkowski campaigns so that each received $2,400 for the 2010 primary and another $2,400 for the general election.
The FEC also is looking for more information on work that people were paid to do on the SarahPAC disclosure report. Travel invoices also need to be itemized if more than $500 was spent on a trip.
SarahPAC spokesmanMeghan Stapleton said travel invoices didn't come until after the report was filed.
The FEC wants a response by Sept. 24. It says an audit or enforcement action is possible if the deadline is not met.
Front Section, Pages 3 on 08/29/2009