Slow progress pursuing unpaid Ohio election fines

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state’s progress collecting the unpaid fines of political candidates has been slow since Ohio launched a crackdown a year ago.

The state has collected about $14,500 of an estimated $32 million owed when the Attorney General’s office and the Ohio Elections Commission announced an effort to recoup the fines.

The total unpaid fines has grown since then to more than $33 million owed for filing campaign-finance statements late or making false statements in campaign ads.

Holly Hollingsworth, spokeswoman for Attorney General Richard Cordray, says the state’s efforts will eventually pay off.

Hollingsworth notes the state can’t pursue fines until the elections commission certifies an account for collection.

The commission certified 34 accounts since July 2009.