(Story created: 5/11/05)
Tennessee state Sen. John Ford faces a $10,000 fine after a ruling by a state board. The Registry of Election Finance ruled on questions first exposed by a NewsChannel 5 investigation.
Ford was accused of using more than $15,000 in campaign donations to pay for his daughter's wedding reception.
The reception took place at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
The senator's attorney said Wednesday that the senator admitted using the campaign funds, but believed it was an appropriate use of the funds because he invited constituents to the reception.
But the board disagreed, voting 4-3 to fine Ford $10,000 for using campaign donations improperly.
The fine matched the largest the board had ever handed out, but he can appeal the ruling.
Sen. Ford still faced further troubles with the Senate ethics committee.
That group has been investigating claims that the Senator was paid to influence state TennCare contracts.
