Senator Mary Jane Garcia pays fines

Mary Jane Garcia

Rather than wait for a final ruling, state Sen. Mary Jane Garcia said today she has opted to pay a $1,200 fine levied by the Secretary of State's Office and repay $3,980 that had been withdrawn from her campaign account. 

Garcia also says she had requested the Attorney General's Office to review the case. She says the money can be returned to her later if the Secretary of State decides to waive the fine, but that she would reimburse her campaign fund regardless. 

Ken Ortiz, chief of staff for the Secretary of State's Office, said Thursday that they were not aware of Garcia's decision. The last correspondence they received from Garcia was on Tuesday, when she cited statute defending her expenditures and asked that the fine be waived. 

The Secretary of State's Office sent a letter to Garcia on Oct. 17, alleging 12 possible violations of state campaign financing laws. 

Senator Mary Jane Garcia pays fines