Gov. Walker returns $170,000 in campaign donations to PAC

MADISON (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker's campaign has returned $170,000 in campaign donations it received from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce political action committee in December after being fined $500 by election regulators for accepting the money.

The Government Accountability Board levied the fine in February after the state Democratic Party requested an investigation.

Walker spokeswoman Ciara Matthews confirmed that the money was returned at the request of the PAC that donated it.

MMAC spokesman Steve Baas says the group initially misunderstood guidance it got from the GAB.

State law limits individuals from giving any more than $10,000 collectively any year, unless to a recall campaign within certain time limits.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says the PAC collected contributions in excess of that from Walker supporters, then made a $175,000 donation.