Idaho Senator Could Face FEC Fines

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo's former treasurer says nobody told him about a $250,000 loan made in 2008 by the campaign's manager to a friend. William Corbett, who at the time was exiting as volunteer treasurer, says if he'd known, he would have reported it.

Crapo last week amended his 2008 and 2009 filings to reflect the loan — and explain how ex-campaign manager Jake Ball lost the $250,000 after giving it to his friend, Gavin McCaleb. This situation illustrates the dangers of loose internal financial controls inside campaigns.

Crapo could face FEC fines for not accurately reporting his campaign's finances. The FEC didn't comment, but experts say the federal watchdog doesn't take lightly a U.S. senator's campaign that keeps hundreds of thousands in losses off its books for years.