Nikki Haley Fined For Fundraising Violations

Gov. Nikki Haley was fined $3,500 according to a consent order signed this week with the State Ethics Commission. 

Haley was fined for not identifying eight donors to her 2010 gubernatorial campaign. According to the order, Haley will have to forward the donations, which total $4,200, to the Children's Trust Fund and reimburse the ethics agency $2,000.

The order stems from a complaint filed in July 2011 by a state Democratic Party employee. 

Last October, Haley former an ethics commission to address ongoing ethics issues among South Carolina's lawmakers. She pushed hard for ethics reform legislation in the most recent session of the General Assembly. The legislation stalled but is expected to be taken up again early next year.

Democrats accused Haley of using ethics for political purposes and, in a statement released by the party's Communications Director, Kristen Sosanie, were quick to remind voters the governor has has ethics challenges of her own.

"Governor Haley continues to prove that she is either unable or completely unwilling to play by the rules. Nikki Haley had to repay over $9,000 previously for improperly using the state plane but continues to use it for political purposes. Now she has to pay over $9,000 once again, for inaccurate reporting, and is still engaging in the secretive behavior with 151 incomplete donor records in her most recent disclosure. It's time for Nikki Haley to stop thinking she gets to play by her own set of rules, and start living up to ethical standards."

Haley's campaign director Tim Pearson told the Associated Press the money will be paid out of Haley's 2014 campaign account. Haley has not officially declared her intention to run again, but that appears to be a formality.