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Ethics Commission OKs Fine Against Group Over Campaign Flier

SKOWHEGAN, Maine — The Maine Ethics Commission has approved a fine against a nonprofit group founded by a Republican state legislator for failing to disclose spending on a campaign flier targeting Democratic Rep. Jeff McCabe.

The Portland Press Herald reports the commission on Wednesday approved the $672 penalty against the conservative New England Opportunity Project.

It had contacted Republican Rep. Lawrence Lockman of Amherst after the Morning Sentinel reported on the fliers, which claimed McCabe supported harboring people living in the country illegally and terrorists in Maine.

Lockman, who founded the nonprofit, said Thursday there was no attempt to "hide" the flier.

State campaign finance rules require disclosure of any "independent expenditure" by a party, political action committee or other organizations that clearly depicts a candidate between Labor Day and November elections.