Former Ohio congresswoman faces FEC fine over legal assistance

CINCINNATI (AP) — A former Republican congresswoman from southwest Ohio is facing a $2,500 fine from the Federal Election Commission for not reporting legal assistance from a pro-Turkish group.

The FEC says the Turkish Coalition of America is paying a $25,000 fine after the group aided Jean Schmidt in several legal disputes stemming from her political career. The agreement with the FEC comes almost five years after a political opponent leveled the accusation as part of a dispute between the two over Schmidt’s support of Turkey in Congress.

Schmidt reported she had repaid the Turkish Coalition of America nearly $43,000 in legal fees and expenses. But the group provided more than $650,000 in free legal services to Schmidt.

An attorney for the group says it’s happy the matter has been resolved.