NM legislator fined for campaign finance violations

Mary Jane Garcia

A New Mexico legislator has been fined $1,200 by the secretary of state for campaign finance violations. 

Democratic state Sen. Mary Jane Garcia of Dona Ana was notified of the fine in a letter dated Tuesday. Duran's office says Garcia's campaign disclosures had 12 instances of improper cash spending since 2010. Campaigns are prohibited from making payments for "cash" of more than $100.

 Garcia told Duran's office the campaign payments covered travel to attend legislative committee meetings and contended that's allowed by law. The Legislature separately reimbursed Garcia for mileage and daily expense allowances for attending the meetings.

NM legislator fined for campaign finance violations